Bug wreaks havoc on Armagh’s build-up

ARMAGH have suffered a massive blow prior to their crunch Ulster SFC clash with Tyrone as 12 players were quarantined when a stomach bug forced them into a one-week shutdown.

While manager Peter McDonnell expects the bulk of his players to have recovered in time for the Tyrone game, which is less than two weeks away, he admitted that it could take some longer than others to recover.

“I would hope that is not the case but it manifests itself in different ways in different people.

“It is not ideal to be scuppered in our preparation in the last week of the hard graft so we have missed out on that.”

Cork will give debuts to Ray Carey and Paul O’Flynn and a first Championship start for Paul Kerrigan as they take on Waterford in the first round of the Munster SFC at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Sunday.

Carey from the Clyda Rovers club is named at right corner back with Ballyclough’s O’Flynn selected at right half forward. Nemo Rangers young star Kerrigan was introduced as a substitute on two occasions during the course of the Championship last season and is now given a starting position at left half-forward.

There are two changes from the side that defeated Monaghan to win the second division of the NFL three weeks ago, with John Miskella from Ballincollig taking over the right half-back position from Noel O’Leary of Kilnamartra and Pearse O’Neill of Aghada returning after injury to replace Patrick Kelly of Ballincollig at centre-forward.

Hugh McGrillen will make his senior championship debut for Kildare when they take on Offaly in the first round of the Leinster SFC at Portlaoise on Sunday, lining out at right corner-back in the absence of Kevin O’Neill, who has a dislocated shoulder.

Right corner-back Declan Brennan makes his first championship start, against Offaly, having seen some action as a sub in the qualifier victory over Fermanagh last season. He was a star of last year’s U21 side.

The return of Andriú Mac Lochlainn and Emmet Bolton was a surprise, however, with the latter not playing at all during the league.

Darryl Flynn returns after suspension to partner Dermot Earley at midfield and with Kevin Donnelly unavailable after a knee operation Alan Smith comes in at right corner-forward.

Five players will make their senior Championship debut for Offaly. They are: Stephen Lonergan, Richie Dalton, Conor Carroll, Ken Casey and William Mulhall.

Goalkeeper Alan Mulhall’s only previous SFC appearance for Offaly came when he was introduced as substitute in the forward line against Westmeath last year.

Matthew Mitchell played three championship games in 2003 but has not featured since as he was domiciled in America and played in the Connacht Championship with New York.

In sharp contrast to Offaly, manager Liam Sammon has included no newcomers in his Galway side, captained by left corner-back Damien Burke, for their visit to London in the first round of the Connacht SFC.

Conor Morrissey, Brian Fox and James Tierney will make their senior championship debuts for Tipperary who meet Limerick in the first round of the Munster championship at Semple Stadium on Sunday.

Derry have a full strength team for their opening round clash with Monaghan in the Ulster SFC at Celtic Park on Sunday. The Monaghan team will be named this morning.

Meanwhile talented Kilkenny hurler Richie Hogan has been ruled out of action for up to a fortnight after tearing his hamstring during a training session with the Cats U21s last Sunday.

CORK (SF v Waterford): A. Quirke; R. Carey, M. Shields, A. Lynch; J. Miskella, G. Canty, G. Spillane; A. O’Connor, N. Murphy; P. O’Flynn, P. O’Neill, P. Kerrigan; D. Goulding, J. Masters, D. O’Connor.

KILDARE (SF v Offaly): T. Corley; H. McGrillen, M. Foley, D. Brennan; E. Bolton, A. Flanagan, M. Conway; D. Flynn, D. Earley; R. Sweeney, P. O’Neill, J. Kavanagh J. Doyle, A. Smith, E. Callaghan.

OFFALY (SF v Kildare): A. Mulhall; S. Lonergan, C. Evans, B. Darby; M. Mitchell, R. Dalton, K. Slattery; N. Smith, C. Carroll; S. Ryan, N. McNamee, K. Casey; T. Deehan, J. Reynolds, W.Mulhall.

GALWAY (SF v London): A.Faherty; N. Coyne, F. Hanley, D. Burke; G. Bradshaw, D. Blake, G. Sice; P. Conroy, G. O’Donnell; S. Armstrong, P. Joyce, D. Dunleavy; N. Joyce, M. Meehan, C. Bane.

TIPPERARY (SF v Limerick): P. Fitzgeraald; C. Morrissey, R. Costigan, P. Codd; C. Alyward, H. Coghlan, B. Fox; G. Hannigan, B. Jones; S. Cleary, P. Austin, B. Mulvihille; J. Tierney, B. Coen, B. Grogan.

DERRY (SF v Monaghan): B.Gillis; K. McGuckin, K. McCloy, G. O’Kane; P. Cartin, B. McGoldrick, S. L. McGoldrick; F. Doherty, J. Diver; B. McGuigan; P. Murphy, E. Lynn; E. Bradley, P. Bradley, J. Kielt.

DERRY (SH v Kerry): A McGill; R McCloskey, C Quinn, S McNicholl; P. O’Kane, S. McCullagh, M. Craig; K. Hinphey, O. McCloskey; C Murphy, D Leahy, B. Dodds; A. Kely, P. McCloskey, R. Convery.