Galway ring changes before Tyrone clash

All-Ireland SFC qualifier Round 3

Galway v Tyrone, Croke Park, 4.15pm.

Galway and Tyrone face off in Croke Park today in the glamorous tie of the Round 3 football qualifiers.

The Tribesmen, who defeated Louth in the last round, have made a number of positional switches following the unconvincing victory over the Wee County.

Manager John O’Mahony has again had to plan without the services of key man Kevin Walsh, who is still out with a hamstring injury. Joe Bergin partners Sean O'Domhnaill at midfield, while Michael Donnellan moves to centre half-forward.

Matthew Clancy moves to the right wing and John Devane is called into the team at left-half forward in the place of Tommy Joyce. Padraig Joyce moves to full-forward, flanked by Micheál Meehan and Derek Savage.

Meanwhile, the Red Hands are boosted by the return of Peter Canavan to the bench.

Their inspirational All Star forward has been sidelined since last year's Sam Maguire triumph with a

number of injuries.

The champions have named an unchanged side from the team that beat Down in the last round.

Gavin Devlin, who missed the last two games against Donegal and Down because of a shoulder injury, is also fully recovered but was not selected in the starting line-up, as manager Micky Harte keeps faith with Shane Sweeney, who has successfully deputised for Devlin.

Owen Mulligan continues at full-forward, flanked by Mark Harte and Stephen O'Neill, while Pascal McConnell is retained in goal for what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

GALWAY (SF v Tyrone): B O’Donoghue; K Fitzgerald, G Fahy, T Meehan; D Meehan, P Clancy, D Burke; J Bergin, S O’Domhnaill; M Clancy, M Donnellan, J Devane; M Meehan, P Joyce, D Savage.

TYRONE (SFC v Galway): P McConnell; R McMenamin, C Gormley, C Gourley; J McMahon, S Sweeney, P Jordan; K Hughes, S Cavanagh; B Dooher, B McGuigan, G Cavlan; M Harte, O Mulligan, S O’Neill.