In preparation for their second Leinster football final in as many years, Laois have opted for transparency, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
As the two Kerry legends who manage Laois and Westmeath rubbed shoulders at yesterday's official media gathering, Mick O'Dwyer had already played his hand by selecting the starting 15 who overran Meath last month, albeit with three positional switches.
With his injury worries behind him, Padraig Clancy returns from the forwards to midfield to partner Noel Garvan. Kevin Fitzpatrick moves to the corner, while captain Chris Conway comes out to wing forward.
Westmeath will select their team tomorrow evening, but they are missing a couple of stalwarts. Martin Flanagan will not be considered despite lining out for his club last week; he only came out of his ankle cast three weeks ago.
Their All-Star midfielder, Rory O'Connell, is heading to the High Court today to seek an injunction against the three-month suspension handed down by the GAC. He received the ban after being red-carded for an incident with Pascal Kellaghan in Westmeath's opening Leinster championship tie with Offaly on May 23rd.
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has indicated Peter Canavan will be among the replacements for their crunch third-round qualifier against Galway this Saturday.
"We will select the starting 15 on Thursday night, but all the minor knocks are recovering well. Peter Canavan is looking good and in the process of recovery but he is not yet in the shape to be playing 70 minutes of football," said Harte.
Galway are not expected to select a side until the weekend, but Kevin Walsh is definitely out after picking up a hamstring strain on Monday.
Cork have resisted naming their side to face Fermanagh, also at Croke Park on Saturday, until tonight in order to give Anthony Lynch every opportunity to prove his fitness after sustaining a cracked collarbone. Otherwise, manager Billy Morgan has confirmed a clean bill of health in the panel.
Meanwhile, Denis Connerton has resigned as Longford manager after eight years of inter-county football. He coached the minors for two years and acted as assistant manager to the seniors for three years before taking the main job in 2001.
"I decided this would be my last year. You have your own professional time as well so it's no harm in moving on," explained Connerton. "I've done a lot of work with them and just feel it may be time for a fresh voice and someone different to take them on."
This year they recorded impressive victories over Monaghan and Waterford before losing to Dublin in last Saturday's third-round qualifier.
"I have some good memories. Beating Kerry and Westmeath this year were enjoyable and I was pleased to be playing championship in July," Connerton continued.
LAOIS (SF v Westmeath): F Byron; A Fennelly, C Byrne, J Higgins; D Rooney, T Kelly, P McDonald; N Garvan, P Clancy; R Munnelly, B McDonald, C Conway; I Fitzgerald, C Parkinson, K Fitzpatrick.
MAYO (SF v Roscommon): F Ruddy; C Moran, D Heaney, G Ruane; G Mullins, J Nallen, F Costello; D Brady, R McGarrity; J Gill, K McDonald, A Dillon; C Mortimer, T Mortimer, B Maloney.
