The Offaly hurlers will return to their spiritual home of Birr for the first time in nine years in 2016.

Since O'Connor Park was redeveloped, St. Brendan's Park has been left out in the cold with all the major games going to Tullamore instead. However, Offaly's management committee gave the green light for senior inter-county hurling action to return to Birr at Tuesday night's county board meeting after major improvements were carried out at the south Offaly venue in recent years.

St. Brendan's Park will host Offaly's home games in next January's Walsh Cup and could also be considered for Allianz Hurling matches once the Slattery Report is complete.

The news has been warmly welcomed by hurling supporters in south Offaly who were unhappy at having to travel outside the county's traditional hurling base to see the Faithful in action.

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