WITH their backroom problems apparently behind them, Galway will hope to get back on the winning trail when the National Hurling League resumes on Sunday. Galway meet neighbours Offaly, in Ballinasloe, with some of their Sarsfields players back in action following their defeat by Sixmilebridge, but their team is still short of a number of top performers.

Definitely out are the two Kellys, Padraig and Peter, while Joe Cooney is a doubtful starter. He injured a shoulder in the club match last week and continues to have treatment. The right corner forward, position is left vacant in the hope that he will be fit to take his place.

Also out of action are Gerry McInerney. Sean Treacy and Joe McGrath. McInerney is recovering from flu while Treacy and McGrath have not fully recovered from injury.

Against All-Ireland champions Clare in the last round, McInerney was at centre half back, the position now filled by Nigel Shaughnessy. The selectors have also given Kevin Devine a chance of claiming a regular spot in goal. Pat Costello is listed in the list of substitutes.

The midfield partnership of Michael, Coleman and Brendan Keogh is retained. Coleman is also captain for the year.

Cathal Moran now leads the attack, with Kevin Broderick and Liam Burke on either side of him, while Joe Rabbitte is at full forward with Francis Forde on his left and, hopefully, Joe Cooney on the right.

Galway have had a rather patchy Division One run so far. They have won two, lost two and drawn one. A win on Sunday will leave them with a very good chance of a place in the quarter-finals, while a loss could leave them struggling.

The McGrath Cup football matches between Kerry and Limerick and Cork and Clare have been called off because of the decision to re-fix the two Railway Cup semi-finals for Sunday. The Leinster versus Connacht match is at Navan with a throw-in of 3.30, while the Ulster versus Munster match at Clones starts at

A trophy in memory of former Tipperary hurling star John Flanagan, who died last year, has been presented to Tipperary Juvenile GAA Board by the Moycarkey-Borris club. It will be awarded to the county under-14 hurling champions.

The Munster football selectors introduce Donal O'Callaghan of Cork and Niall Geary of Waterford for Sunday's interprovincial semi-final against Ulster.