Galway's 1998 All Star defender Tomas Mannion took part in county training on Tuesday night after reconsidering his decision to retire.
The versatile defender, who pushed Ja Fallon close for the player of the year award after Galway's All-Ireland run, missed last year's campaign after a debilitating back injury forced him out of the game. However, his time away from the sport has given that problem time to heal and his presence strengthens the county's already formidable squad.
"It's great to see him back, naturally he is very welcome," said Galway manager John O'Mahony yesterday.
"Obviously it is at a very early stage and it will take time for Tomas to feel his way back into the game. It is too soon to predict when he might start playing again."
Mannion's return bookends the return to fitness of Galway's other two banner names from 1998. Ja Fallon has resumed light training in his efforts to rid himself of the long-term cruciate tear that ruined his championship last year. Also back in training is Michael Donnellan, who chipped a bone in his foot during last year's All-Ireland final replay loss to Kerry.
Their return suggests a promising league run for Galway, who were impressive in the league before the break despite the inevitable fatigue of their All-Ireland run.
O'Mahony has been awaiting fitness reports on Gary Fahy, Declan Meehan and Joe Bergin before finalising his side to play Louth in Drogheda on Sunday.
Donegal have given a debut to Patrick McConigly as they visit Omagh in the top-of-the-table Division 1A clash. He comes in for Letterkenny's Jonathan Scanlan. Brian Roper is likely to fill the half forward vacancy. St Eunan's flier Brendan Devenney gets his first full start this season, coming in for Johhny McCafferty, who is serving a suspension.
Kerry manager Paidi O'Se will announce his team to play Offaly tomorrow. Tom Brewster is the latest casualty as the worries of Fermanagh manager John Maughan grow. He dislocated a collarbone during a challenge match against Armagh earlier in the week and has been ruled out of this weekend's match against Laois. Full forward Stephen Maguire and defender Barry Carty may also lose out.
Sligo introduce two newcomers for their match against Derry at Celtic Park. Tubbercurry players Rory Brennan and Tommy Brennan make their debuts at left half forward and right corner forward, respectively. James Curran takes over in goal in place of regular goalkeeper James Walsh who has an ankle injury. Paul Durcan and Ken Killeen are serving suspensions.
In hurling, Waterford forward Paul Flynn has been omitted from Gerald McCarthy's team to play Wexford next weekend. Flynn has been struggling with his form and was substituted during last week's game against Derry. Dave Bennett, who replaced him, hit two points after his introduction. He again replaces Flynn on Sunday and will, most probably, also assume the freetaking duties.
Leinster Council chairman Seamus Aldridge and Mayo county chairman PJ McGrath have each indicated that they will bid to succeed Sean McCague as president of the GAA in the 2002 election.
Meanwhile, serving officers for second-level schools in each of the Munster counties were announced at a meeting in Limerick last night. They are Kevin Marren (Clare), Denis Lyons (Cork), Peter Twiss (Kerry), Gerry Bennis (Limerick), Tom Collum (TIpperary) and Paddy Dunphy (Waterford).
Team Check
DONEGAL (SF v Tyrone): T Blake; P McConigly, M Crossan, N McGinley; E Doherty, S Carr, D Diver; J Gildea, B Monaghan; AN Other, T Boyle, J Gallagher; A Gallagher, A Sweeney, B Devenney.
ROSCOMMON (SF v Dublin): S Curran; E Gavin, F Grehan, J Whyte; I Daly, F Grehan, C McDonald; C Connellan, F O'Donnell; C Connelly, J Hanley, G Cox; N Dineen, S Lohan, J Neary.
WATERFORD (SF v Tipperary): P Houlihan; I Walsh, J Phelan, J Moore; K Coffey, L Hurney, M Ahern; L Dalton, K O'Keeffe; G Walsh, J Hennessy, M O'Brien; E Doherty, G Hurney, S Cunningham.
WATERFORD (SH v Wexford): B Landers; T Feeney, S Cullinan, B Flannery; V O'Shea, S Frampton, J O'Connor; P Queally, T Brown; K McGrath, S Prendergast, E Kelly; J Mullane, D Bennett.
SLIGO (SF v Derry): J Curran; M Cosgrove, N Clancy, P Gallagher; N Maguire, D Durkin, B Phillips; E O'Hara, C O'Meara; D Sloyane, K O'Neill, R Brennan; T Brennan, P Taylor, G McGowan.
LIMERICK (SF v Antrim): A Kitson; M Riordan, D Sheehy, Denis Reidy; C Mullane, S Lucey, Damien Reidy; J Quane, J Stokes; S Lavin, D Murphy, AN Other; P Aherne, M Gavin, C Hickey.
