GAA:Cork full back Graham Canty will make his long-awaited return to competitive football in Sunday's Munster quarter-final against Limerick at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It's exactly 10 months since Canty sustained a knee cruciate ligament injury during Cork's Munster final replay win over Kerry.
Canty had played practically a complete role in the challenge win over Laois on the May Bank Holiday, keeping Paul Lawlor scoreless in the process, and had also played for his club, Bantry Blues. That was more than enough to convince manager Billy Morgan to return him to the starting line-up.
Morgan's team is impressive, with Nicholas Murphy partnering Derek Kavanagh at midfield, while 6ft 7ins Michael Cussen will make his first championship start at full forward. With an injury-free panel there is no room for Brendan Jer O'Sullivan, who had returned to training in recent weeks after injury.
Kildare include two championship debutants for their Leinster first-round clash with Meath, part of Sunday's double-bill at Croke Park. Emmet Bolton is named at left-wing back, where he featured during the league, with Anthony Rainbow starting his 17th championship campaign on the other wing.
Michael Conway returns from a knee injury to debut at left-corner forward. John Doyle is named at full forward, though likely to play a deeper role, with former full back Kevin O'Neill and Ross Glavin, who last played in 2005, taking over the midfield positions from the injured duo of captain Dermot Earley (foot) and Killian Brennan (Achilles tendon). Tomás O'Connor (knee) and Darryl Flynn (ankle) were also ruled out through injury.
Meath will finalise their team tomorrow evening, with Graham Geraghty likely to start on the bench, while Stephen Bray is free to play despite being sent off in a recent club match.
Former Carlow midfielder Thomas Walsh is set to start his first competitive game for Wicklow when they meet Louth in Sunday's other game at Croke Park, with manager Mick O'Dwyer also finalising his team tomorrow. Louth manager Eamonn McEneaney will also have a full hand to pick from with both JP Rooney and Martin Farrelly having recovered from long-term injuries.
In Tyrone, things have gone from bad to worse with confirmation last night that Brian McGuigan will be sidelined for at least two months because of an eye operation scheduled for Friday.
McGuigan hasn't played for Tyrone since the 2005 All-Ireland final after suffering the leg break in a club game more than a year ago. His injury compounds the absence of forwards Stephen O'Neill and Martin Penrose for Sunday's game against Fermanagh, while Enda McGinley and Owen Mulligan remain highly doubtful.
CORK(SF v Limerick): M Quike; M Shields, G Canty, K O'Connor; N O'Leary, G Spillane, A Lynch; D Kavanagh, N Murphy; C McCarthy, P O'Neill, K McMahon; J Masters, M Cussen, D O'Connor.
KILDARE(SF v Meath): E Murphy; E Callaghan, D Lyons, A Mac Lochlainn; A Rainbow, M Hogarty, E Bolton; K O'Neill, R Glavin; J Kavanagh, P O'Neill, K Donnelly; T Fennin, J Doyle, M Conway.
