Dooher ruled out of Tyrone tie with Kerry

BRIAN DOOHER has been ruled out of Sunday’s vital Allianz NFL game with All-Ireland champions Kerry in Fitzgerald Stadium.

The Tyrone captain still has not recovered from a bout of flu, which prevented him from lining out in last weekend’s game with Westmeath.

Meanwhile, Owen Mulligan is expected to figure in the starting line-up, having come in as a substitute in Mullingar and Philip Jordan is likely to be named at left half-back.

In line with his policy of rotating goalkeepers, Micky Harte will name John Devine for this game in place of Paschal McConnell, who was beaten three times last Sunday.

Offaly, exciting one-point winners over Donegal last weekend, have announced an unchanged side for their home game with Dublin at Tullamore on Sunday.

Runaway winners over Clare last time out, Fermanagh have also announced an unchanged side for their visit to Carlow on Sunday.

Limerick will be without full-forward Eoin Keating for their crucial relegation battle against Armagh at Crossmaglen. Keating was red-carded near the end of last Sunday’s victory over Sligo. Centre-forward Muiris Gavin, who limped out of that game with a knee injury, is considered to be a doubtful starter.

Westmeath, who are going through a lean period at present, hope to have Rory O’Connell back for their away game with Mayo. O’Connell missed last weekend’s defeat by Tyrone because of a back injury. Denis Glennon, who was forced to retire with a thigh injury during the course of that game, is expected to be fit to resume.

Tipperary can call on four of the team that played against Kilkenny in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final for Saturday’s opening game against Clare in the Munster minor hurling championship.

Mathew Ryan, Ray McLoughney, Joey McLoughney and Philip Ivors started against the Cats. In all, 11 of the starting 15 for Saturday’s game were on last year’s panel.

OFFALY (SF v Dublin): P. Kelly; C. Daly, C. Evans, S. Sullivan; K. Slattery, S. Brady, N. Grennan; K. McManus, A. McNamee; N. Coughlan, M. Daly, J. Reynolds; C. Quinn, N. McNamee, J. Coughlan.

FERMANAGH (SF v Carlow): N. Tinney; S. Goan, B. Owens, R. McCloskey; R. Johnston, S. McDermott, D. O’Reilly; M. McGrath, L. McBarron; E. Maguire, T. Brewster, M. Little; C. Bradley, R. Gallagher, R. Keenan.

TIPPERARY (MHC v Clare): M. Ryan (Templederry); D. Patterson (Boherlahan-Dualla), E. Costello (Drom & Inch), P. Hayes (Knockavilla Kickhams); T. Stapleton (Templederry), R. McLoughney (Kilruane McDonaghs), P. J. Troy (Moneygall); K. Lanigan (Carrick Swans), N. Bergin (Killenaule); J. Ryan (Sean Treacys), D. O’Hanlon (Carrick Swans), C. McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney); J. McLoughney (Toomevara), K. Reade (Carrick Swans), P. Ivors (Ballingarry) Subs: J. Ryan (Drom & Inch), M. Walsh (Kilruane McDonaghs), P. Fitzgerald (Cappawhite), E. Woodlock (Drom & Inch), G. Ryan (Templederry), B. Maher (Borrisoleigh), P. Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields), T. Dalton (Arravale Rovers), B. Moran (Moycarkey-Borris).

LAOIS (MHC v Offaly): C. Delaney (Camross); B. Stapleton (Kilcotton), D. Murphy (Portlaoise), M. Bermingham (Mountmellick); J. Doyle (Clough-Ballacolla), N. Delaney (Kilcotton), A.N Other; K. Finlay (Borris-in-Ossory), J. O’Loughlin (Mountmellick); E. O’Dwyer (Ballinakill), D. Maher (Clough-Ballacolla), E. Fitzpatrick (Portlaoise); W. Hyland (Clough-Ballacolla), M. Whelan (Borris In Ossory), T. Byrne (Portlaoise).