Welcome to a windy O’Connor Park for this evening’s All Ireland hurling qualifier preliminary round clash between Offaly and Waterford.

It promises to be a season defining game in Tullamore for Offaly and Waterford.  The Faithful took plenty of encouragement from the gutsy manner in which they performed against Kilkenny.  Offaly, though, were still beaten so they need to take a scalp.

Waterford hit the midlands with worries of their own.  The Munster Championship loss to Clare means they face this tricky test at O’Connor Park.  It is all to play for.

No talk of any changes yet in Tullamore so we expect the two teams to line out as follows:

OFFALY: James Dempsey (Kinnitty); Chris McDonald (Brosna Gaels), David Kenny (Belmont), Dermot Mooney (Seir Kieran); Rory Hanniffy (Birr), Ger Healion (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Derek Morkan (Shinrone); Brian Carroll (Coolderry),Kevin Brady (Coolderry); Colin Egan (Belmont), Derek Molloy (Shamrocks), Ciaran Slevin (Kilcormac/Killoughey); Shane Dooley (Tullamore), Dan Currams (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Joe Bergin (Seir Kieran).

WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner); Shane Fives (Carrigtwohill), Liam Lawlor (Fourmilewater), Noel Connors (Passage); Jamie Nagle (Dungarvan), Michael Walsh (Stradbally), Darragh Fives (Tourin); Paudie Prendergast (Lismore), Kevin Moran (De La Salle); Jake Dillon (De La Salle), Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore),  Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner); Jamie Barron (Fourmilewater), Maurice Shanahan (Lismore), Brian O’Sullivan (Ballygunner).

This will be Offaly and Waterford’s third clash in the All Ireland qualifiers.  Waterford won by 1-26 to 1-15 in 2005 and three years later the Deise emerged 2-18 to 0-18 victors.  Will they complete a hat-trick in Tullamore?

Offaly’s record in the qualifiers is more hit than miss.  The Faithful have played 21 matches, only winning eight.  Can Ollie Baker’s team cause a mild surprise against Waterford?

James McGrath from Westmeath will referee this evening’s game, with James Owens (Wexford) and Sean Cleere (Kilkenny) the linesmen on duty.  Galway’s John Keane will be the sideline official.

The only reported change is in the Offaly substitutes list.  David King (Coolderry) replaces Pat Camon (St Rynagh’s). Otherwise both teams line out as selected.

Waterford have commenced their warm up.  Full back Liam Lawlor has a heavily bandaged knee.  Talk that Jake Dillon and Maurice Shanahan will switch positions.

Reasonable crowd gathering at O’Connor Park now.  Offaly have been greeted by a decent roar after their entry on to the field.

Will Offaly be able to make a blistering start?  Can Waterford’s attack fire?  Will a talented youngster make a real, positive statement?  These questions and more will be answered during the next two hours.

The start of the match has been delayed until 7.05pm.

Offaly captain David Kenny has won the toss and the Faithful have opted to play against the wind.

The national anthem is over and the teams are ready for action.

Shock, horror, teams lining out as selected. No positional changes.

Early goal chance for Waterford’s Paudie Prendergast, who drives narrowly wide.

A dog is on the pitch and he is chasing referee James McGrath.  Funny start in Tullamore.

Waterford 0-1 Offaly 0-0: 4 mins – Jake Dillon with a fine effort from play for Waterford.  Lively opening.

Waterford 0-2 Offaly 0-0 : 7 mins – Fast and physical early on here.  Dillon has just clipped a second cute point for Waterford.

Goal for Offaly!

Offaly 1-0 Waterford 0-2: 7 mins –  A loose Liam Lawlor hand pass was gathered by Shane Dooley, who ruthlessly blasted the sliotar to the back of the Waterford net.

Following a lengthy delay Offaly’s Derek Molloy has been forced off injured and is replaced by Conor Mahon.

Offaly 1-1 Waterford 0-2: 14 mins – Dan Currams has landed a sweet point for Offaly, who have been prompted by the defensive excellence of David Kenny so far.

Offaly 1-1 Waterford 0-4: 17 mins – Two Maurice Shanahan frees in quick succession mean Waterford are back trading on parity in the midlands.  It has been an interesting encounter thus far.

Offaly 1-2 Waterford 0-4: 19 mins – Offaly are being direct again.  Joe Bergin was fouled after making a splendid fetch.  Shane Dooley rifled over the resultant free.

Waterford 0-6 Offaly 1-2: 22 mins – Two neat points from Shanahan and Kevin Moran have edged Waterford back in front.

Waterford 0-8 Offaly 1-2: 25 mins – Shanahan is impressing on the edge of the square for Waterford now. His duel with Offaly captain David Kenny will be crucial.

Waterford 0-9 Offaly 1-3: 27 mins – This game is bubbling along nicely.  Kevin Brady struck a point for Offaly, but it has been followed by an equally crafty effort from Waterford’s Shane O’Sullivan.

Waterford 0-10 Offaly 1-3: 30 mins – Shanahan has scored six points, including three from play for Waterford, who are backed by the breeze in the first half.

Waterford 0-10 Offaly 1-4: 34 mins – A Shane Dooley free has trimmed the deficit as the interval approaches.

There will be seven minutes additional time at the end of the first half.

Waterford 0-11 Offaly 1-4: 35 mins – Paudie Prendergast has landed an excellent point from distance for Waterford.

Waterford 0-11 Offaly 1-6: 35 (+3) mins – Scores from substitute Conor Mahon and Joe Bergin have edged the Faithful closer once again.

Waterford substitution, Pauric Mahony in for Jamie Barron.

Waterford 0-13 Offaly 1-6: 35 (+6) mins – Shanahan is dashing about craving involvement and has just hit his seventh point with Brian O’Sullivan also registering.

Half-time: Waterford 0-13 Offaly 1-6.

Scorers for Waterford: Maurice Shanahan 0-7 (3fs), Jake Dillon 0-2, Paudie Prendergast 0-1, Kevin Moran 0-1, Shane O’Sullivan 0-1, Brian O’Sullivan 0-1.

Scorers for Offaly: Shane Dooley 1-2 (2fs), Joe Bergin 0-1, Dan Currams 0-1, Kevin Brady 0-1, Conor Mahon 0-1.

It has been a very interesting first half in O’Connor Park.  Maurice Shanahan has been highly effective for the visitors. Shanahan started at full-forward, but has drifted out the field too and is causing Offaly plenty of problems.  Offaly played into the teeth of a strong wind and were fairly efficient during the opening period.  Ollie Baker’s side scored 1-6 and have only struck one wide.  Delicately poised at the break.

8,200 is the official attendance at O’Connor Park.

Second half underway.

Waterford 0-13 Offaly 1-7: 37 mins – Joe Bergin clips a point for Offaly after Waterford had a claim for a penalty waved away by referee James McGrath.

Waterford 0-13 Offaly 1-7: 38 mins – Offaly backed by the breeze now, but Waterford have spurned a goal chance.  Jake Dillon kicked wide under pressure.

Shout out to Brian, Sean, and Cathal Flynn of Ferbane/Belmont, who are online in Islington, London.  Good Arsenal stock too apparently and they will be happy to hear Offaly are narrowing the deficit.

Waterford 0-13 Offaly 1-9: 42 mins – Two delightful Brian Carroll points ensure Offaly only trail by one.

Waterford 0-14 Offaly 1-9: 44 mins – A Shanahan free from an acute angle has put Waterford two in front.

Waterford 0-15 Offaly 1-11: 47 mins – A Shane Dooley free was followed by a sizzling Kevin Brady point, but Brian O’Sullivan has put Waterford ahead again.

Waterford Offaly 1-11: 49 mins – Maurice Shanahan is enjoying himself this evening.  Shanahan has already scored 0-9, including five from play.

Offaly substitution Sean Cleary for Ciaran Slevin.

Waterford 0-18 Offaly 1-13: 54 mins – A Dooley free was been quickly cancelled out by points from Brian O’Sullivan and the influential Maurice Shanahan.  Derek Morkan has just replied for the Faithful.

Offaly substitution, Sean Gardiner for Paul Cleary.

Waterford 0-18 Offaly 1-13: 57 mins – Still all to play for here, but Brick Walsh has been immense since the break for Waterford.

Ollie Baker is clearly not happy with referee James McGrath.  Waterford have introduced Martin O’Neill for Seamus Prendergast.

Waterford 0-19 Offaly 1-13: 60 mins – Ten to go and Waterford lead by three.  Shanahan tapped over his 10th point from a free seconds ago.

Waterford’s Richie Foley is in for Darragh Fives with seven minutes to go.

Waterford 0-21 Offaly 1-14: 66 mins – This is the Maurice Shanahan show.  The gifted Lismore attacker has hit eight from play.  Waterford looking good now.  Can Offaly summon a late comeback?

Waterford goalkeeper Stephen O’Keefe denies Dan Currams with a brilliant 67th minute save.  Still four points in it.

In injury time now.  Only will be one minute of it.

Full-time Waterford 0-21 Offaly 1-14.

Scorers for Waterford: Maurice Shanahan 0-13 (5fs), Brian O’Sullivan 0-3, Jake Dillon 0-2, Paudie Prendergast 0-1, Kevin Moran 0-1, Shane O’Sullivan 0-1.

Scorers for Offaly: Shane Dooley 1-4 (4fs), Brian Carroll 0-2, Kevin Brady 0-2, Joe Bergin 0-2, Dan Currams 0-2, Conor Mahon 0-1.

All over in Tullamore.  Waterford, inspired by Maurice Shanahan, survived a tricky midlands test.  Waterford motor on and will face Westmeath in Mullingar next weekend.