O'Connell takes to bench for Westmeath

Despite Rory O'Connell's late availability, Páidí Ó Sé has resisted temptation to start the midfielder in Sunday's Leinster final…

Despite Rory O'Connell's late availability, Páidí Ó Sé has resisted temptation to start the midfielder in Sunday's Leinster final against Laois at Croke Park.

Wednesday's High Court decision overturned the Games Administration Committee's (GAC) 12-week ban. Westmeath's only ever All Star has been under suspension since the end of May so he is well short of match fitness and will have to be content with a role on the bench.

Gary Dolan retains his place at midfield alongside captain David O'Shaughnessy. The only change to the line-up sees Fergal Wilson come back in for David Mitchell at wing forward, after losing out in the Leinster semi-final victory over Wexford.

Westmeath officials have refused to let the O'Connell issue lie. County secretary Paddy Collins wrote a letter to Central Council last week outlining grievances around referee Paddy Russell's decision to red card the player against Offaly on May 23rd.

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"The rules clearly state that the referee must consult with his linesmen before making a decision," said Collins. "I believe 'consultation' to be a face-to-face meeting, and such a meeting is not possible via an ear-piece. We're not aware that this communication has been endorsed by Central Council."

Essentially, Westmeath hope to clear O'Connell's name and Collins is hopeful of a response from Croke Park over the weekend.

"We hope they recognise the system is faulty and they duly expunge Rory O'Connell's name from the record. There is no better time for the association to tackle it."

Limerick have made no changes ahead of the daunting trip to Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, for the Munster football final replay this Sunday. Despite having to depart prematurely in last week's match at the Gaelic Grounds, Muiris Gavin has recovered from an ankle injury and will start.

They can also take solace from the fact Séamus Moynihan has been ruled out of the match for Kerry. An X-ray revealed severe bruising to the bone and swelling around the right ankle. Aidan O'Mahony is rated doubtful with a thigh complaint, while Declan O'Sullivan's collarbone is also a concern for manager Jack O'Connor.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has named the same side that overcame Down for tomorrow's qualifier clash with Galway at Croke Park. Peter Canavan is named on the bench.

Stephen O'Neill has recovered from the injury that forced him off the last day and takes up the left-corner forward berth, while Pascal McConnell is again preferred in goal to John Devine.

Fermanagh are also sticking to the old reliables from the victory over Meath for tomorrow's showdown with Cork in Croke Park. Damien Kelly, who cried off at the 11th hour against the Royals with an ankle injury to be replaced by Declan O'Reilly, is fit to start.

There are two further positional changes with Stephen Maguire coming out to centre forward and James Sherry moving into full forward.

Mickey Moran's Derry must plan without Seán-Marty Lockhart again after he failed to recover from a leg infection in time for tomorrow night's qualifier against Wexford at Parnell Park. Lockhart has been named amongst the replacements and it is hoped he will tog out.

The only other change from the original team selection against Cavan sees Paul McFlynn come in at centre back. There had been some doubt about the defender's availability but he has since cancelled a planned holiday. Pádraig O'Kane drops out of the side.

Meanwhile, the Clare hurlers have resisted naming their starting line-up until tomorrow as they give Brian Lohan's troublesome hamstring and the more serious ankle injury to Alan Markham a chance to heal.

The GAA have announced that tickets for tomorrow's third-round double header between Cork and Fermanagh and Galway and Tyrone at Croke Park are on sale from the ticket office at the rear of the Cusack Stand from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. today.

Tickets for the Leinster football championship finals on Sunday will also be available. Tickets can also be purchased tomorrow and Sunday at mobile units ("Lady Luck", opposite the Red Parrott pub on Dorset St; Gill's Corner on the North Circular Road; and Bishop's Palace, Drumcondra Road) on approach to the ground.

Dublin will play Tipperary and Galway will face Antrim in the minor hurling championship quarter-finals, to be played on the weekend of July 24th-25th.

LIMERICK (SF v Kerry):S O'Donnell; M O'Riordan, J McCarthy, T Stack; C Mullane, S Lucey, S Lavin; J Stokes, J Quane; S Kelly, M Gavin, M O'Brien; C Fitzgerald, J Galvin, E Keating.

WESTMEATH (SF v Laois):G Connaughton; J Davitt, D O'Donoghue, J Keane; M Ennis, D Healy, D Heavin; G Dolan, D O'Shaughnessy (capt); B Morley, P Conway, F Wilson; A Mangan, D Glennon, D Dolan.

FERMANAGH (SF v Cork):N Tinney; N Bogue, B Owens, H Brady; R Johnston, S McDermott, D Kelly; M McGrath, L McBarron; E Maguire, S Maguire, M Little; C O'Reilly, J Sherry, C Bradley.

TYRONE (SF v Galway):P McConnell; R McMenamin, C Gormley, C Gourley; J McMahon, S Sweeney, P Jordan; K Hughes, S Cavanagh; B Dooher, B McGuigan, G Cavlan; M Harte, O Mulligan, S O'Neill.

DERRY (SF v Wexford):B Gillis; K McGuckin, N McCusker, G O'Kane; F McEldowney, P McFlynn, P Kelly; F Doherty, Patsy Bradley; J Donaghy, J McBride, C Moran; J Bradley, Paddy Bradley, E Muldoon.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent