Diver out as Donegal hit by injuries
Diver broke a bone in his hand last Saturday night and will be out of action for up to a month.
Coach Brian McEniff is concerned about the fitness of Noel McGinley (hamstring) and James Ruane (ankle). However, Mark Crosson made his comeback in a challenge game against Galway played at Markievicz Park at the weekend and did well.
McEniff said Down’s crushing defeat by Tyrone in last Sunday’s Ulster final replay was not a true reflection of their form. “I believe their true form rests somewhere in between what they showed in the drawn game and the replay. They were diabolical last Sunday but I would expect to see a big improvement against us on Saturday”.
Down will be without Dan Gordon, who received a straight red card last Sunday, but Martin Cole is eligible to play as he received two yellows and a red.
Both counties will announce their teams tonight after training.
Kildare won’t name their team to play Roscommon in the All-Ireland qualifier until Saturday. Anthony Rainbow, who missed the provincial final against Laois because of a burst blood vessel in his leg, is being given more time to prove his fitness.
The Lilywhites will be definitely have Alan Barry and Michael Wright available. Both players received two yellow cards and a red in last Sunday’s Leinster final.
Roscommon won’t announce their team until tomorrow night, but Francie Grehan is a big worry for Tommy Carr. He has his knee in a brace after picking up an injury in training.
Meanwhile, the Cork minor hurling selectors have made sweeping changes for Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final with Offaly in Thurles (7pm).
Goalkeeper Cian Barry, corner-back Mattie Foley, midfielder Donagh Lucey and full-forward Asaki Ó hAilpín have all paid the price for indifferent performances against Tipperary in the Munster final.
Carrigaline’s Eoin O’Sullivan takes over the goalkeeping duties; Stephen Cronin (St. Mary’s) replaces Foley, James Bowles (Newtownshandrum) is in for Ó hAilpín and Ger O’Leary (Fr. O’Neills) is preferred to Lucey.
Positional switches see Shane O’Neill move from right half-back to left corner-back with Cronin taking O’Neill’s place; Brendan Coleman moves from centre-forward to partner Mark Harrington at midfield.
Offaly have also made changes, two of them enforced. Harry Ryan comes in at right half-back for Tomas Coughlan, while Cathal Parlon takes over at left half-forward from Stephen Delaney. Kevin Sadler replaces Noel Ryan at midfield.
CORK (MH v Offaly): E. O’Sullivan (Carrigaline); E. O’Sullivan (Ballyhea), N. Horgan (Glen Rovers), S. O’Neill (Bishopstown); S. Cronin (St. Marys), M. Aherne (Ballinhassig), B. Clifford (Lisgoold); M. Harrington (Douglas), B. Coleman (Ballyhea); J. Bowles (Newtown), K. Canty (Valley Rovers), G. O’Leary (Fr. O’Neills); B. Canty (Valley Rovers), B. Barry (Killeagh), M. Allen (Ballygiblin); Subs. C. Barry ( St. Vincents), M. Foley (Carrigtwohill), D. Lucey (Bandon), A. Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh), S. Flannery (Carrigtwohill), R. Conway (Bishopstown), E. Manning (Valley Rovers), B. Sheehan (Millstreet), M. O’Sullivan (Ballyhea).
OFFALY (MH v Cork): L. Bevans (Shinrone); D. Hoctor (do.), P. Cleary (Birr), C. O’Meara (Shinrone); H. Ryan (Birr), D. Hayden (do.), K. Ryan (Drumcullen); J. Keane (Tullamore), K. Sadler (Kilcormac-Killoughey); J. O’Grady (Tullamore), J. Bergin (Seir Kieran), C. Parlon (Coolderry), E. Lee (Kilcormac-Killoughey), D. Cordial (St. Rynaghs), D. Molloy (Shamrocks).
MAYO U-21 v Sligo: F. Ruddy; L. O'Malley, P. Nevin, R. Walsh; S. Drake, E. Devenney, D. Costello; P. Doherty, P. Harte; P. Carey, A. Dillon, A. Moran; C. Mortimer, S. Mangan, D. Munnelly.
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