O’Connell kept in reserve as Westmeath rely on Wilson

WESTMEATH manager Páidí Ó Sé has resisted the temptation to start Rory O’Connell in Sunday’s Leinster SFC final against reigning champions Laois at Croke Park.

This was even though the All Star midfielder was given the go-ahead to play following a High Court ruling.

Instead O’Connell, who was suspended for 12 weeks for an alleged stamping offence, is being held in reserve, and manager Ó Sé has made just one change from the side that defeated Wexford in the semi-final, with Fergus Wilson taking over the left half-forward position from Denis Mitchell.

With centre-forward Muiris Gavin passed fit to play, Limerick have announced an unchanged team for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Munster SFC final replay with Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Gavin went over on an ankle after scoring four points from frees in last Sunday’s drawn encounter at the Gaelic Grounds. However, he came through a fitness test with flying colours last night.

Roscommon have promoted John Tiernan and Jonathon Dunning to their starting line-up for Sunday’s Connacht SFC final clash with Mayo at Castlebar. Both were introduced as substitutes during the semi-final win over Leitrim and get the nod to start.

Tiernan takes over the left half-forward position from Derek Connellan, while Dunning is preferred to Ger Heneghan at top of the right.

With the vastly experienced Paul Noone sidelined with injury, Andy McPadden continues in the left half- back position.

All-Ireland champions Tyrone have announced an unchanged side for their qualifier with Galway at Croke Park tomorrow. Pascal McConnell, who replaced John Devine in goal for the win over Down, retains his place, while Stephen O’Neill, who retired injured in that game, has recovered.

Peter Canavan has been listed among the substitutes and could make his first appearance since the historic All-Ireland victory 10 months ago.

Clare have delayed selection of their team to meet Offaly in tomorrow’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier at Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds. The Clare team was due to be announced last night but manager Anthony Daly is still awaiting final fitness reports on full-back Brian Lohan and Alan Markham.

The outstanding Clare back is troubled by a long-term groin injury, while Markham has an injured ankle.

LIMERICK (SFC v Kerry): S. O’Donnell; M. O’Riordan, J. McCarthy, T. Stack; C. Mullane, S. Lucey, S. Lavin; J. Quane, J. Galvin; E. Kelly, M. Gavin, J. Stokes; C. Fitzgerald, S. Kelly, M. O’Brien.

ROSCOMMON (SFC v Mayo): S. Curran; J. Whyte, M. Ryan, J. Nolan; D. Casey, F. Grehan, A. McPadden; S. O’Neill, S. Lohan; G. Cox, J. Hanly, J. Tiernan; J. Dunning, K. Mannion, F. Dolan.

WESTMEATH (SFC v Laois): G. Connaughton; J. Davitt, D. O’Donoghue, J. Keane; M. Ennis, D. Healy, D. Heavin; G. Dolan, D. O’Shaughnessy (capt); B. Morley, P. Conway, F. Wilson; A. Mangan, D. Glennon, D. Dolan.

TYRONE (SFC v Galway): P. McConnell; R. McMenamin, C. Gormley, C. Gourley; J. McMahon, S. Sweeney, P. Jordan; K. Hughes, S. Cavanagh; B. Dooher, B. McGuigan, G. Cavlan; M. Harte, O. Mulligan, S. O’Neill.

DERRY (SFC v Wexford): B. Gillis; K. McGuckin, N. McCusker, G. O’Kane; F. McEldowney, P. McFlynn, P. Kelly; F. Doherty, P. Bradley; J. Donaghy, J. McBride, C. Moran; J. Bradley, P. Bradley, E. Muldoon.