OFFALY last year defeated All Ireland hurling finalists, have made two changes from the side that saw off Meath in the Leinster quarter final two weeks ago for Sunday's semi final against Laois at Croke Park.

Eamonn Cregan's team face an anxious wait to see if Johnny Pilkington can overcome the damage to his fractured thumb and take his place at midfield. The place is left vacant. The team's other regular midfielder, Daithi Regan, who was also carrying an injury, is left out in favour of Michael Duignan, whose switch from left corner forward allows Declan Pilkington into the team.

The team is fairly familiar and reflects the tight resources at Cregan's disposal. In recent weeks, former Offaly and Kilkenny coach Diarmuid Healy - who led Offaly to two All Irelands in the 1980s - has been helping out with the team's preparations.

For their part, Babs Keating and his selectors have made three changes from the Laois side that lost April's National Hurling League semi final against Tipperary, for the team to face Leinster champions Offaly.

There is a substantial injury doubt concerning centre back Joe Dollard who injured his leg in a challenge match against Dublin last week. Dollard burst a blood vessel in the leg and was said after training last night in Portlaoise, to be very, very sore".

No decision on his fitness or possible replacement will be made until immediately before the match.

Elsewhere on the team, there is a recall to the team for former county player Paul Delaney at midfield. As a result of his return, Declan Conroy"moves to the right wing forward position.

Back into the half forward line comes Declan Rooney, who was exam tied for the Tipperary match. Seamus Cuddy and Fionan O'Sullivan lose out and drop back to the bench.

For the other Leinster semifinal, Dublin bring in four new faces for the match against Wexford. Corner back Damien McCormack and corner forward Kevin Flynn are making championship debuts, whereas the Kilkenny pair, Jamesie `Shiner' Brennan and Eamonn Morrissey make their first championship appearances in Dublin jerseys.

Clare footballers have had to make a number of changes to cope with a number of injuries in advance of Sunday's Monster semi final against Cork. Barry Keating and Mikey Galvin make their championship debuts in defence while regular wing and corner back. Frankie Griffin moves to full back.

In the absence of Ciaran O'Mahoney, out with an injured shoulder, his Doonbeg clubmate Francis McInerney - who led Clare to 1992's historic Monster title - takes over the captaincy.