OFFALY v DOWN OFFALY HAD been quietly working their way through the qualifiers, beating Clare and then Waterford without drawing much attention, but without ever impressing either.

They were certainly lucky to beat Clare, and unless they improve in a big way this afternoon then Down are more likely to stop them in their tracks.

Offaly’s chances of causing an upset aren’t helped by the loss of Karol Slattery, who has a hamstring injury against Waterford. He is replaced by Paul McConway.

OFFALY:A Mulhall; B Darby, S Brady, S Pender; N Darby, R Brady, P McConway; R Dalton, B Connor; G Guilfoyle, N McNamee, C McManus; K Casey, J Coughlan, A Sullivan.

DOWN:B McVeigh; D Rooney; D Gordon, D Rafferty; D OHagan, J Colgan, C Garvey; A Rogers, K King; D Hughes, M Poland, B Coulter; C Maginn, J Clarke, M Clarke.

Referee:M Duffy (Sligo).