Veterans Joe Dooley and Joe Errity are among the five players omitted from Pat Fleury's radically altered Offaly side to face Derry in Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final curtain raiser.
The team announcement had twice been delayed this week, giving rise to speculation that the manager had decided to experiment with a side famed for its unchanging image.
Brian Whelahan is also gone, confirming the rumours that he tweaked a hamstring at training on Tuesday evening. As Derry are not expected to provide very stern opposition, the temptation to experiment is understandable. A number of fringe players who featured during the National League campaign have been given a chance to shine. Conor Gath, who impressed at the outset of the league, is named at corner forward, with All Star John Troy also back in the reckoning, having struggled recently with injury. The versatile Michael Duignan drops back to wing back, with Kevin Martin filling the gap at centre half back. Niall Claffey completes the half-back trio. David Franks, who saw limited league action, makes his debut at left corner back, a position the injured Colm Cassidy had slotted into after Martin Hanamy's retirement. Ger Oakley, who debuted three years ago, has struggled to find a regular first-team slot, but this match offers him another chance, partnering Johnny Dooley at midfield. Johnny Pilkington moves to right half forward to form a new-look half-forward line with Troy and Brendan Murphy.
The full-forward line represents a bold step into the unknown for Offaly, but full-forward Gary Hanniffy impressed against Wexford while Aidan Hanrahan, a Lusmagh club-mate of Troy's, has also been waiting in the wings for a considerable time.
The players to lose out are Brian and Barry Whelahan, Paudie Mulhare, Dooley and Errity. Whether this coup amounts to a changing of the guard or simply a sharp reminder that no one is infallible remains to be seen.
The controversy surrounding the appeal for Derry player Emmet McKeever has thrown their selection plans into disarray. The team had been hoping that his suspension would be overturned at Wednesday night's appeal. They have left a vacancy in the forwards. Team Check
Offaly SH
There are five changes to the Offaly side to face Derry in the All-Ireland hurling quarter-final on Sunday. David Franks comes in at corner back, Ger Oakley starts at midfield, John Troy returns at centre half forward while Conor Gath and Aidan Hanrahan have been chosen in the full-forward line.
Offaly (SH v Derry): S Byrne; S Whelahan, K Kinahan, D Franks; M Duignan, K Martin, N Claffey; Johnny Dooley, G Oakley; J Pilkington, J Troy, B Murphy; C Gath, G Hannify, A Hanrahan.
Derry SH There is one vacancy in the Derry team to play Offaly on Sunday. With Geoffrey McGonigle due to return from suspension, the expectation is that the dual star will fill the halfforward void. Otherwise, the team remains the same as that which lined out against Antrim in the Ulster final.
Derry (SH): K Stevenson; C McGurk, C Murray, N Mullan; C Conway, C McEldowney, B Ward; R McCloskey, O Collins; K McCloy, K McKeever, AN Other; G Biggs, J O'Dwyer, M Collins.
