Colm Parkinson and Tom Kelly are notable absentees from Laois manager Sean Dempsey's O'Byrne Cup squad. The experienced pair haven't been included in the 35-strong squad, which is also notable for the absence of Joe Higgins, who recently announced his retirement from inter-county football. None of the Portlaoise contingent have been included as they are currently preparing for next month's All-Ireland club semi-final against Kilmurry-Ibrickane or Tir Chonaill Gaels. Veterans Padraig Clancy and Darren Rooney have been included, despite not having returned to training yet, while college commitments and injuries are likely to rule out John O'Loughlin (UCD), Colm Munnelly (DCU), Colm Coss (Waterford IT), Kevin Smith (UL) and Donie Kingston (groin strain). Former Aussie Rules star Colm Begley, who is expected to transfer from Stradbally to Dublin club Parnells where he would link up with Parkinson and Rooney, has also been named. Weather permitting, the O'Moore County will open their O'Byrne Cup campaign against DIT in Graiguecullen on Saturday night (throw-in 7pm). Laois (O'Byrne Cup squad): Ross Munnelly, Colm Munnelly, Kevin Meaney (Arles-Kilcruise); Donie Kingston (Arles-Killeen); Cathal Ryan (Portarlington); John O'Loughlin, Colm Coss, Diarmuid O'Flaherty (Mountmellick); Billy Sheehan, Paul Lawlor, Darren Strong (Emo); Chris Bergin, Denis Booth, Daithi Carroll, Marty Dowling (The Heath); Damien Murphy, Colm Begley (Stradbally); Mark Timmons, Ambrose Doran, Kevin Smith (Graiguecullen); Peter O'Leary, Robbie Kehoe (O'Dempsey's); Padraig Clancy, Brendan Quigley (Timahoe); Padraig McMahon, Michael John Tierney (Ballyroan-Abbey); Conor Gorman (Clonaslee-St Manman's); Damien Lowry (Killeshin); Donal Miller, Rory Stapleton, John Scully (Annanough); Niall Donoher (Courtwood); Mark Delaney, Cathal Og Greene (Park-Ratheniska); Darren Rooney (Parnells). Tweet

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