Team NewsGalway hurling manager Conor Hayes has made two changes in personnel and six positional ahead of their All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Tipperary this Sunday in Croke Park.
Both new faces come into the half forward line as the experienced Alan Kerins replaces Colin Coen, while recent minor graduate Niall Healy takes over from Kevin Hayes.
It is hoped the selection of Kerins and Healy will bring an impetus to the Galway attack missing mainly because of long-term injuries to Eugene Cloonan and Kevin Broderick.
The other significant switches sees Tony Óg Regan moved to centre back and Ollie Canning into corner back. David Collins (dead leg), Derek Hardiman (thigh strain) and Regan (stomach bug) have all recovered from their particular ailments.
Galway had a practice session in Croke Park last Sunday and it proved a worthwhile experience as Sunday is the first time they play in the ground since defeat to Clare in 2002.
"What with Galway opting not to join in the Leinster championship we have not been there since 2002," said selector Gerry Dempsey. "The players were quite taken by the actual speed of the pitch, although the ground staff did inform us that it had been significantly flattened by fans running on after the Ulster final."
Mayo football manager John Maughan has delayed announcing a team for tomorrow's fourth round qualifier against Cavan in Dr Hyde Park due to the four-week suspension handed down to forward Trevor Mortimer yesterday.
The CDC used video evidence to find Mortimer guilty of foul play in the Connacht football final defeat to Galway on July 10th. Either James Gill or Austin O'Malley are expected to be promoted to the starting line up.
Mayo are also still planning without Keith Higgins who although back training has not recovered from a fractured elbow. Another absentee for the match, which is being televised lie on RTÉ Two at 5.30pm, is defender Conor Moran who is out with a thigh strain.
Their opponents Cavan last night named the same 15-men that ended Meath's interest in the championship on July 17th.
That means full back Darren Rabbit is passed fit to start, despite being stretchered off against Meath with a twisted knee. Corner forward Seánie Johnson has recovered from a groin problem he picked up playing with Cavan Gaels.
Michael Lyng has yet to recover sufficiently from a hamstring injury and remains on the bench, where he came on to score a late free to secure a replay with Tyrone in the Ulster championship last month. Paul Brady is still suspended for stamping.
"Michael has had a terribly unfortunate time this year when he has had three different tears," said stand-in manager Martin McElkennon. "He missed the whole national league and the early championship, but he is getting very close to full fitness."
The two teams arrive in Roscommon tomorrow after greatly contrasting campaigns as it has taken Cavan six games to chart a path through Ulster and the qualifiers. Despite a 21-point defeat to Tyrone they overcame stiff challenges against Donegal and Meath to reach this stage.
Mayo have played just twice, beating Roscommon before losing their provincial crown to Galway three weeks ago.
Sligo manager Dom Corrigan has made two changes from the side that beat Clare in the round three of the qualifiers for this Saturday's match with Cork in Portlaoise. Both are in the forwards, with Brian Curran coming in for Gerry McGowan at corner forward and Tony Taylor named on the wing instead of Darragh McGarrity. Dessie Sloyan is captain once more in place of the injured Eamon O'Hara. Paul Taylor is back in the panel and will wear the number 30 shirt.
GALWAY (SHC v Tipperary): L Donoghue (capt); D Joyce, S Kavanagh, O Canning; D Hardiman, T Og Regan, D Collins; F Healy, D Tierney; A Kerins, D Forde, N Healy; G Farragher, R Murray, D Hayes.
CAVAN (SFC v Mayo): J Reilly; M Hannon, D Rabbit, P O'Reilly; M Cahill, A Forde, P Reilly; D McCabe, P McKenna; M McKeever, N Walsh, F O'Reilly; S Johnson, J O'Reilly (capt), L Reilly.
SLIGO (SFC v Cork): P Green; P Naughton, J Martyn, B Philips; P Doohan, B Egan, J Davey; S Davey, N McGuire; J McPartland, M Breheny, T Taylor; D McTiernan, D Sloyan (capt), B Curran.
