Hi Kevin,
I don't see a benefit to the team to announce the lineup publicly before the match. Someone else may beg to differ.
Any advantage may accrue to supporters. For instance, that Seán Gardiner is starting would persuade a few from Lusmagh to go that mightn't otherwise go. Ditto for someone from Cloghan. A decade ago, when Joseph Bergin was in his debut season, a sizeable number from Clareen were present.
Thing is that so few teams line out as selected now. A fortnight ago both Offaly (1) and Leix (2) made changes. Both Leixmen who were 'deposed' eventually came on. I watched Kilkenny v Tipperary on the video later in the week - both made changes, as did Wexford (v Clare) though Clare, unusually for them, did line out from 1 to 15. Waterford use squad numbers with Maurice Shanahan favouring number 21.
Making changes to teams was first practiced by Kevin Heffernan's Dubs around 1980 and was brought to a whole new level by Loughnane's Clare in the 1990s. It is often used as a ruse by team selectors to 'cod' the opposition. But now nobody believes an announced lineup now, and I don't see the point of a grand announcement.
Kevin wrote:
Fully appreciate the question and I certainly cannot provide insight.
The situation begs another question - sort of pushing this in another direction:
What benefit does Offaly derive from releasing the team early or ever?
Pat Donegan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.