Five Dublin newcomers face Tyrone
Paul Copeland takes over in goal from Stephen Cluxton, who is out of the country while, in the absence of groin injury victim Paddy Christie, Niall O’Shea of St. Brigid’s gets his chance at right corner-back.
Denis Bastick is the new midfield partner to Ciaran Whelan. Derek Murray, an U21 All-Ireland medal winner in 2003, comes in at right half-forward, with Kevin Bonner, nephew of former Donegal star Seamus, at full-forward.
Greg Lewis, who played in the O’Byrne Cup, was ruled out after breaking a bone in his ankle in training, while Dabhach Dineen has a hand injury.
Meanwhile, Dublin’s first home league game against Monaghan will be played on Sunday, February 12 after the Ulster county decided against playing on a Saturday night under lights in Parnell Park. The game will be all-ticket.
Monaghan, back in Division 1 following an eight-year absence, introduce three new players for their opening game against Fermanagh at Clontibrit on Sunday. In are corner-backs Paul McGuigan and Donal Morgan while Shane Smyth is named at left corner-forward.
Injuries and withdrawals have forced new Limerick football boss Mickey Ned O’Sullivan to reshape the team for Sunday’s league visit of Roscommon.
With all five dual players - Stephen Lucey, Conor Fitzgerald, Brian Begley, Mark O’Riordan and Mike O’Brien - having opted to play hurling, and top scorers Muiris Gavin and Owen Keating out with long term injuries, O’Sullivan has had to cast his net wide.
He is also without long-serving full-back Tommy Stack, who is taking a 12 months break, as well as star midfielder John Quane who has decided to hang up his boots.
Furthermore, the talented Padraig Browne is a doubtful starter for the visit of Roscommon as he is studying in Scotland.
O’Sullivan reasons his best route at this stage is to gear up for the championship.
“I can only look at the League to try to get balance into the team. The aim must be to have the side ready for our championship meeting with Clare in May. I took some positives from our recent narrow defeat by Cork in the semi-finals of the McGrath Cup but we will definitely need to improve up front where our scoring rate has been below par.”
David Kinsella returns for Wexford for their away game to Laois after having a 12 weeks suspension for playing illegally with DCU, lifted. Mick O’Dwyer continues to wait on Tom Kelly’s decision whether to make himself available.
Clare, under new management, are likely to be without five first team players because of injury for their League opener with Carlow at Cusack Park on Sunday. David Russell (groin), Odran O’Dwyer (hamstring) and Ger Quinlan (foot) are all expected to miss out. Sean O’Meara broke his collar bone in training last week and Stephen Hickey is still recovering from a groin operation.
Wing-back Pa Morrissey, who sustained a knee injury while playing with his club Bansha on Sunday, and Kevin Quinlan, who picked up a finger injury in a recent challenge match, are expected to miss Tipperary’s first game in the League away to Sligo.
Anthony Moyles, Damien Clarke and Denis Kealy, all of whom missed Meath’s victory over Offaly, remain doubtful for Sunday’s League showdown with Down at Newcastle on Sunday.
Because of the involvement of several players in the FBD competition, Galway will not name their team to play Derry until Friday at the earliest.
: S. Duffy; P. McGuigan, C. Flanangan, D. Morgan; D. Freeman, V. Corey, D. McArdle; L. Lennon, D. Clerkin; S. Colloghy, P. Finley, S. McManus; T. Freeman, R. Woods, S. Smyth.
: P. Copeland; N. O’Shea, B. Cahill, D. Henry; P. Casey, P. Andrews, C. Goggins; C. Whelan, D, Bastick; D. Murray, B. Cullen, T. Quinn; D. O’Callaghan, K. Bonner, A. Brogan.
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