Munster champions Cork have named two debutantes in the team to face Donegal on Sunday in the final National Football League programme of the year. The match also sees the return of corner back Anthony Lynch, one of the stars of the championship campaign, for his first start of the League.
Lynch is back from club commitments with Naomh Aban who last Sunday won the Cork intermediate title against Castletownbere.
Goalkeeper Alan Quirke of Valley Rovers and wing forward Tadhg Deasy from the Tadhg MacCarthaigh club in west Cork make their debuts.
Quirke was a replacement during the summer's championship and produced good displays in the county final, playing for UCC against Nemo Rangers. He comes in for Kevin O'Dwyer whereas Deasy replaces Colin Crowley. Lynch's recall is at the expense of Graham Canty.
The other change sees Mark Lewis replace Fionan Murray whose goal-scoring exploits after coming off the bench were a feature of Cork's championship. The All-Ireland finalists have lost both their matches to date, against Kerry and Roscommon.
Tyrone have made three changes for the visit of Roscommon to Dungannon. Paul Devlin is replaced in defence by his Moortown club-mate Chris Lawn while there is a recall for midfielder Terry McKenna following an 18-month absence. He replaces Paul McLaughlin, who has a knee injury. In attack, Stephen O'Neill comes in at the expense of Gerard Cavlan. Lawn and O'Neill both came on as substitutes in the heavy defeat by Kerry 10 days ago.
Injuries to Anthony Rainbow and Cathal Sheridan have delayed the selection of the Kildare team to play Mayo. Both players missed the last game against Derry but may yet be included for Sunday's game as Kildare try to maintain an unbeaten record. None of the Sarsfields players will take part because of their club's participation in the Leinster final against Na Fianna.
Meath are still waiting on news about the Skryne contingent who have been celebrating last weekend's county final success against Dunshaughlin. At the moment, it appears as if Trevor Giles will make the journey to Enniskillen to play Fermanagh but John McDermott's intentions aren't yet clear.
Sean Boylan has injury worries as Cormac Murphy, Mark O'Reilly and Ollie Murphy are doubtful whereas Enda McManus, Hank Traynor and Nigel Nestor are definitely out. The team announcement is expected today.
A number of teams have delayed selection until tomorrow. Dublin aren't expected to make too many changes for the visit of Kerry to Parnell Park although manager Tom Carr has a number of injury concerns and must also bear in mind Na Fianna's upcoming Leinster club final against Sarsfields of Kildare.
Des Farrell who has been troubled with an Achilles tendon problem since the summer is reportedly undergoing surgery as soon as his club final commitment is over - barring a replay, on Sunday week - and may sit on the bench this weekend.
"Dessie has been going through an injury trauma," said Carr, "and may need an operation. First he has to have a scan and before you can scan, the injury has to be left to settle. We're delaying selection - Declan Darcy has an ankle injury, Paddy Christie's hamstring is niggling him and Ciaran Whelan has a back injury."
Another county with an interest in Na Fianna's campaign is Ulster champions Armagh whose Kieran McGeeney and Des Mackin line out with the Glasnevin club. It's not clear yet whether the pair will be considered when the team is announced tomorrow night.
The main worry will be Diarmuid Marsden who aggravated his groin injury last weekend. Like their Munster counterparts, Armagh have yet to register a point in the League campaign and Brian Canavan clearly sees fatigue as a problem although he admits the League isn't as big a priority this year.
Cork (SF v Donegal): A Quirke; M O'Donovan, S O hAilpin, A Lynch; R McCarthy, O Sexton, D Creedon; M O'Sullivan, N Murphy; T Deasy, J Canty, B J O'Sullivan; P Clifford, B Collins, P O'Mahony. Subs: K O'Dwyer, G Canty, G Lynch, M Cronin, P Murphy, M Lewis, C Crowley, F Murray.
Tyrone (SF v Roscommon): M Conway; C Howe, F Devlin, M McGee; C Gourley, C McAnallen, C Lawn; Pascal Canavan, T Mckenna; B Dooher, Peter Canavan, B Meenan; S O'Neill, R Thornton, E Gormley.
Tipperary (SH v Wexford): K O'Brien; D Fahey, F Heaney, M Ryan; P Maher, D Kennedy, P White; A Moloney, G Maguire; P Ormond, J Carroll, M O'Leary; L Cahill, D O'Connor, K Tucker.
