The Offaly player Ger Oakley, who played at midfield in the first replay of the All Ireland semi-final against Clare in Croke Park, has ruled himself out of the team panel and will not figure in preparations for the All Ireland final according to sources close to the team.

Oakley, from the Carrig-Riverstown club, was called into the side as a replacement for Paudie Mulhare, whose father died on the eve of the second Clare match. Oakley was reportedly unhappy about being substituted by Joe Errity 20 minutes into the game and has not figured in the squad since them, apparently at his own request.

Meanwhile Kilkenny manager, Kevin Fennelly, has told his players to forget about the idea of sunshine holidays until the Liam McCarthy Cup is resting securely in the Marble City. As a number of events are being organised to help their team's training fund and as some local sponsorship support has been offered, Fennelly has adopted a no-nonsense attitude to his team's preparations.

He has made it clear to the squad that he is demanding total commitment between now and the final. Offaly's win over Clare has sounded alarm bells in Kilkenny, particularly given Offaly's remarkable improvement in form in the second half last Saturday. That performance brought home to Kilkenny the fact that they cannot depend on the evidence of the Leinster final, in which Offaly offered only what was regarded as token resistance.

Fennelly's warning to the players comes on the heels of the announcement that Avonmore Dairies has donated a sum of £10,000 to the players' fund. A fundraising dinner was also held in Kilkenny last night which was expected to raise something in the region of £20,000 to cover team expenses.

On the playing front, worries still persist over the fitness of fullback Pat O'Neill, who is reported to be only undertaking light training as he recovers from a groin strain. He is confidently expected to take his place in the All Ireland team, however.

Further good news for Kilkenny is the Charlie Carter has made a full recovery form a leg injury.

Kildare sources are hopeful that Niall Buckley, who missed the football semi-final against Kerry, with a leg problem, is close to fitness and will be able to take his place in the final against Galway. Padraig Graven, who went off injured in the match against Kerry last Sunday is also reported to be fit again and both have been involved in training. Reports that Niall Cahalane of Cork is on the verge of being appointed as the new Clare football manager are said to be premature. A committee of the county board, headed by Noel Walsh and Robert Frost, are considering a number of options.

Also in the running for the job are Michael Brennan, who was in the Galway panel for the highly controversial All Ireland final of 1983 and Corkman Tony Leahy. Both are members of the Army - Brennan in Ennis and Leahy in Salthill. The fact that Cahalane is still under suspension by the GAA may delay any appointment, although it is widely believed that Cahalane is very much the favourite. It is also believed that a recommendation from the committee will be available for the next meeting of the county board, which does not take place until later in the month.