Offaly hurling boss John McIntyre has caused a sensation by leaving Brian Whelahan out of his side for Saturday's crunch All-Ireland qualifier against Clare in Ennis. If it'a case that the Birr legend has been dropped, it will be the first time in his 17-year inter-county career that this has happened. Whelahan, who turns 35 next month, only returned to the starting line-up for the first round qualifier against Dublin and scored what proved to be the winning goal. He was also one of Offaly's few notable performers in last weekend's heavy defeat to Limerick. Whelahan is replaced by Mick O'Hara, who comes in at wing forward, while Shane O'Connor makes his championship debut in goal to the exclusion of another Birr clubman, Brian Mullins. Another talking point is the omission of top scorer Brian Carroll, who is replaced by Joe Brady at full forward with Joe Bergin moving out to the right corner. Regular corner back Barry Teehan also drops to the bench with Michael Cordial returning at midfield. Declan Tanner moves to wing back, with Kevin Brady taking over from Teehan in the corner. Offaly (SH v Clare): S O'Connor; K Brady, P Cleary, B O'Meara; D Tanner, R Hanniffy, G Oakley; M Cordial, D Hoctor; D Hayden, G Hanniffy, M O'Hara; J Bergin, J Brady, B Murphy. Tweet

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