BOTH DERRY and Donegal will be without first-choice players for Sunday's Ulster football championship quarter-final at Ballybofey. Two of the Derry players who started in last month's National Football League final win over Kerry - defender Liam Hinphey and forward Barry McGoldrick - are set to miss out through injury although manager Paddy Crozier has yet to confirm his starting line-up.
Donegal will definitely be without forward Leon Thompson, who recently sustained a broken jaw, with defender Niall McGready also on the injury list. Manager Brian McIvor has stood by his decision not to recall Brendan Devenney into his panel despite his apparent recovery from a groin strain.
Derry defender Michael McIvor will play his first championship game, with his father Brian on the opposing sideline.
Wexford manager Jason Ryan has named two debutants to play Meath in the Leinster football quarter-final at Dr Cullen Park in Carlow on Sunday. Anthony Masterson takes over goalkeeping duties from the retired John Cooper, while Nicky O'Sullivan comes into the half-back line after some impressive league form.
Paddy Colfer and Rory Stafford also make their first starts of the year at full forward and midfield respectively, which means there are three changes in total from the team that beat Fermanagh for the Division Three league title last month.
Meath aren't likely to confirm their starting line-up until after tomorrow evening's hearing of the Dispute Resolution Authority, who will hear the cases of Brendan Murphy, Séamus Kenny, Nigel Crawford, Niall McKeigue and Shane McAnarney, who remain suspended after the eight-week bans handed out after the infamous league clash against Dublin.
Laois manager manager Liam Kearns has put greater faith in the unknown and named five debutants for Saturday evening's Leinster football quarter-final clash with Wicklow, also set for Dr Cullen Park. Following Fergal Byron's retirement, Michael Nolan is named in goal, while Cahir Healy and Mark Timmons come into the full-back line alongside the experienced Joe Higgins.
John O'Loughlin, still only 19, will partner Pádraig Clancy, who has recovered from an ankle problem, at midfield, while the other newcomer is Colm Kelly, younger brother of experienced defender Tom who will start at full forward. As expected, Brendan Quigley was ruled out after a work accident.
Wicklow's Leighton Glynn is set to play despite concerns over the calf muscle injury sustained in the first-round win over Kildare. Glynn kicked a point in that surprise victory and proved a key member of Mick O'Dwyer's team.
Meanwhile, the Munster Council has announced that stand tickets on general sale for the Munster hurling semi-final between Cork and Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday week have sold out. A limited number of terrace tickets are still available to purchase while stocks last.
Stand tickets can now only be purchased through clubs in the participating counties.
Stand tickets for this Sunday's Munster quarter-final between Clare and Waterford at the Gaelic Grounds are still available to purchase. Adult stand tickets will be on sale on the day of the game from outlets around the ground from 11.30am.
The Munster Council advise people to buy tickets in advance to avoid delays on the day.
Where available, tickets for all Munster Council games can be purchased through the GAA (www.gaa.ie) and Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ie) websites, over the phone from 0818-719300 or 0870-2434455, and from clubs in the participating counties.
WEXFORD (SF v Meath): A Masterson; C Morris (capt), P Wallace, B Malone; N O'Sullivan, D Murphy, N Murphy; R Stafford, E Bradley; PJ Banville, R Barry, A Flynn; C Lyng, P Colfer, M Forde.
LAOIS (SF v Wicklow): M Nolan; C Healy, M Timmons, J Higgins; T Kelly, D Rooney, P McMahon; P Clancy, J O'Loughlin; R Munnelly, B McCormack, B Sheehan; MJ Tierney, C Kelly (St. Joseph's), C Parkinson.
