Wright man for the job as Kildare leave out Ryan

INSPIRATIONAL former captain Glen Ryan has been left out of the Kildare team for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Leinster SFC quarter-final against Longford at Croke Park.

Ryan, who led the Lilywhites to the All-Ireland final when they lost to Galway, has been struggling to overcome a succession of injuries over the past three seasons.

Kildare will also be without star midfielder Dermot Earley, while Mick Wright comes in at centre-back for the deposed Ryan. Kieran Brennan and Alan Berry form a new midfield partnership in the absence of the injured Earley.

Midfielder Kevin Mulryan has been ruled out of the Tipperary team for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Munster SFC tie with Waterford because of glandular fever.

Tipperary have also anxious injury doubts about star forwards Declan Browne and Peter Lambert.

Browne has a leg injury, while Lambert is carrying a knee injury. Damien Byrne and Niall Kelly also have niggling injuries, while Fergal O’Callaghan is doubtful because of a broken finger.

Offaly introduce two newcomers for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Leinster SFC clash with neighbours Laois at Croke Park.

Kevin Meehan makes his goalkeeping debut, while John Reynolds, also from Clara, comes in at full forward.

Laois have deferred selection of their team until tomorrow night because of injury worries surrounding full-back Tom Kelly and half-forward Colm Parkinson.

Kelly is carrying a ‘dead’ leg while Parkinson is troubled by a hamstring injury.

Sligo, who travel to Ruislip to take on London in the Connacht championship, will not finalise their team until just before the game.

Full-forward Paul Taylor has been ruled out by injury, while two other attacking players, Mark Brehony and Michael McNamara, are on the doubtful list.

Brehony is troubled by a leg injury, while McNamara suffered a ‘dead’ leg in a recent challenge game against Monaghan.

Laois have made two changes on their team to face Dublin in the Guinness Leinster SHC at Nowlan Park on Saturday. Pat Mahon comes in at left corner-back for Robert Delaney, while Tommy Fitzgerald is preferred to Brian McCormack at right corner-forward.

KILDARE (SF v Longford): E. Murphy; B. Lacey, D. Lyons, A. McLoughlin; A. Rainbow, M. Wright, C. Ennis; K. Brennan, A. Berry; P. Murray, J. Doyle, R. Sweeney; D. McCormack, J. McKensie/Smyth, T. Fennin.

LAOIS (SH v Dublin): J. Lyons; L. Mahon, Pat Cuddy; P. Mahon; C. Cuddy, C. Cuddy, M. McEvoy; D. Rooney, J. Young; J. Phelan, R. Jones, E. Maher; T. Fitzgerald, L. Tynan, D. Culleton.

OFFALY (SF v Laois): K. Meehan; C. Daly, S. Rafferty, B. Moonan; J. Kenny, F. Cullen, K. Slattery; A. McNamee, C. McManaus; C. Quinn, N. Coughlan, M. Mulhare; P. Kenneghan, J. Reynolds, V. Claffey.