O’Donnell keeps faith with tried and trusted

ROSCOMMON boss Fergal O’Donnell has opted to keep faith with the team that sprung a major surprise in the recent Connacht decider against Sligo for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Cork at Croke Park.

Goalkeeper Geoffrey Claffey and centre-forward David O’Gara have shaken off knee and back injuries, respectively.

Kevin Higgins, Colm Garvey, Jonathan Dunning and Paul Garvey all featured as substitutes against Sligo but are kept in reserve once more.

Roscommon have selected six of the team that started the last time the counties met in a competitive tie in March 2008 — a NFL Division 2 clash in Kiltoom that was Conor Counihan’s first game in charge of Cork.

Claffey, Stephen McDermott, Karol Mannion, O’Gara, Cathal Cregg and Ger Heneghan started that day, while David Keenan and Michael Finneran were both introduced as subs.

Kerry minor boss Pat O’Driscoll, meanwhile, has made sweeping changes to the Kerry minor team who play Ulster champions Tyrone on Saturday in Croke Park in the All-Ireland quarter-final, from the side beaten by Cork in the Munster final.

O’Driscoll introduces Damien Horgan from St Mary’s into goal instead of Padraic McCarthy, while Andrew Thompson replaces injured corner back Pa Kilkenny, who had to retire early in the Munster final.

Chris O’Leary resumes at right half back with James Walsh forming a new midfield partnership with Shaun Keane.

The attack is also rearranged with Marcus Mangan replacing Thomas Hickey on the 40, while Tadgh Morley comes in for Gavin O’Grady.

Marc Reen moves to full-forward while John Moynihan replaces Barry O’Dwyer in the corner.

Dublin boss Pat Gilroy will have a fully fit squad to pick from for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Tyrone.

Midfielders Ross McConnell and Michael Darragh McAuley picked up knocks in the win over Louth last weekend, but both were able to take a full part in training last night.

Cian O’Sullivan, who made his full championship debut at centre-back against Wexford last month only to tear his hamstring in the opening two minutes, returned to full training last week, but a lack of match practice is likely to mean he won’t get a starting role.

Meanwhile, Darren Chapman has emerged as the front-runner to succeed Malachy O’Rourke as Fermanagh football manager. Chapman first flagged his credentials when he guided Newtownbutler to a surprise county senior title in 2007 and has since been in charge of the Fermanagh U21’s. Chapman is currently the manager of Cavan senior football side Mullahoran.

The Offaly county board have opted to delay a decision on the county’s senior hurling and football managements for next year.

Senior hurling boss Joe Dooley has wants more time to consider his position while Tom Cribbin has expressed a desire to continue as senior football manager but not as U21 boss.

ROSCOMMON (All-Ireland SFC quarter-final v Cork): G Claffey; S McDermott, P Domican, S Ormsby; S Purcell, C Dineen, D Casey; M Finneran, K Mannion; D Keenan, D O’Gara, C Cregg; J Rogers, D Shine, G Heneghan.

Subs: M Miley, J Dunning, P Garvey, K Higgins, J Nolan, I Kilbride, R Brady, T Kelly, E Kenny, M Reynolds, D Hussey, C Garvey, D Carney, C Shine, F Cregg.

KERRY (Al-Ireland MFC quarter-final v Tyrone): D Horgan; F McNamara, D Culhane, A Thompson; C O’Leary, L Bastible; J Hickson; J Walsh (capt), S Keane; G O’Leary, M Mangan, T Morley; J Moynihan, M Reen, E O’Connor

Subs: P McCarthy, D Somers, T Hickey, G O’Grady, E Kiely, S McCarthy, B Dwyer, C Cox, P Boyle.