Kerry and Dublin play cards close to their chest

BOTH Kerry and Dublin have delayed naming their teams ahead of next Sunday’s glamour Allianz NFL clash between the great rivals at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.

Because of the involvement of a large number of their younger players in the Sigerson Cup, Dublin won’t name their team until tonight.

Barry Cahill, Paul Griffen, Darren Magee and Alan Brogan were in action with UCD yesterday, while Allstar Stephen Cluxton, Brian Cullen, Paul Casey and Tomas Quinn lined out with DCU.

Kerry, with just one injury problem concerning full back and team captain Barry O’Shea, who suffered a dead leg in a club game last weekend, were confidently expected to announce their team last night. But there was no white smoke from the Kingdom.

Presumably they will also announce their starting 15 tonight.

Offaly introduce two new players, Conor Evans at full back and Shane Sullivan at right half back, for their game with Antrim at Tullamore on Sunday. Colm Quinn and Barry Mooney, who missed the surprise defeat by Leitrim also return.

High-flying Wexford, unbeaten in Division 2 B have postponed selection of their side until tonight. John Hegarty, suffering from a heavy dose of the flu missed training this week.

Regular full back Philip Wallace has a long-term ankle, while his deputy Robert Mageean picked up a quad muscle injury in the last game against Monaghan.

Laois, head of the class in Division 1 B have been forced, because of flu and injuries, to delay selection of their team to meet Down in Portlaoise on Sunday until tonight.

Damien Maloney has a chest infection, Kevin Kelly is recovering from an ankle, while both Colm Parkinson and Huey Emerson are suffering from the effects of hamstring problems.

Mayo, having somewhat of a topsy-turvy time, have made four changes from the side that lost to Laois, for next Sunday’s away game with Cavan at Breffni Park. Alan Roche comes in at right half back for Sean Grimes.

Gary Mullins is introduced at midfield, with David Tierney taking over the left half forward position from Richard Harrison. Ger Brady replaces Stephen Carolan at right half forward with Maurice Sheridan in at right corner forward for Andy Moran.

Roscommon, who have the daunting task of taking on All-Ireland champions Armagh at Crossmaglen on Sunday, are awaiting fitness reports on the injured Paul Noone, John Nolan, Michael Ryan and Donal Casserly before announcing their team tonight.

Tipperary, propping up the Division 2 B table with just one point from their opening three games, will again be without star forward Declan Browne for next Sunday’s home game with Carlow at Ardfinnan.

The first Tipperary player to receive an Allstar award the unfortunate Browne picked up an ankle injury in the kick around before the opening game of the competition against Clare and has been sidelined since.

In the unavoidable absence of Browne, the Tipperary selectors have kept faith with the side that drew with Derry last time out. Neither Meath, who play Sligo on Sunday or Kildare, home to Fermanagh will name their teams until tonight.

Meanwhile, intercounty stars Graham Canty and Alan Cronin will spearhead Cork CIT’s challenge for a place in the quarter final of the Sigerson Cup when they run up against Queen’s University in a preliminary round game at the DCU grounds in Dublin today.

The Cork Institute will also be looking for big performances from Limerick’s Miceal Reidy and Kerry’s DJ Fleming as they strive to emulate the feat of their hurling counterparts, who have reached the Fitzgibbon Cup final for the first time and are due to meet Limerick IT in the decider at the Ragge in Tipperary on Saturday next.

With the concluding stages of the Sigerson being staged in Cork on the weekend after next, Cork IT will have a powerful incentive to triumph today but as team coach Liam Hodnett points out: “Queen’s in the Sigerson are never easy and I don’t expect it any other way this time.”

However, Hodnett is in fairly confident mood going into today’s game. “We have played a few challenge games since we lost to Athlone in the league and we are in good enough shape. This is the big one for us and there is great determination among the lads to participate in the Sigerson weekend in Cork.”

Queen’s best-known players are Paddy McKeever of Armagh and Down’s Karl Oakes. But the northerners are reported to be a well-balanced side and will be a tough nut to crack.

Tipperary (SF v Carlow): P. Ryan; S. Maher, M. Kelly, L. Cronin; D. Fanning, N. Fitzgerald, P. Hally; A. Fitzgerald, F. O’Callaghan; K. Mulryan, E. Hanrahan, B. Hickey; P. Lambert, T. Doyle, D. Byrne.

Mayo (SF v Cavan): P. Burke; K. Mortimer, P. Kelly, R. Connelly; A. Roche, B. Prendergast, F. Costello; D. Heaney, G. Mullins; G. Brady, D. Sweeney, D. Tierney, C. Mortimer, M. Horan, . Sheridan.

Offaly (SF v Antrim): C. McNamara; C. Daly, C. Evans, B. Mooney; S. Sullivan, J. Kearney, C. Slattery; A. McNamee, G. Rafferty; C. Quinn, N. Coughlan, P. Mulhaire; P. Kellaghan, R. Malone, J. Reynolds.

Kerry v Tipperary (Munster Minor Football League Rd. 1): D Carey, L Quinn, C O’Sullivan, J O’ Sullivan, S O’Sullivan, J Coffey, M Curran, D Breen, B Sheehan, B O’Grady, G Dowling, M Murphy, J Houlihan, D Doona, D Geaney. Subs: B Keely, M O’Mahony, J McGillacuddy, C Kelliher, P Moloney, M Bowler, S Murphy, J Buckley, K Jackie O’Sullivan.