First start for Jordan: Football previews

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has handed Philip Jordan his first appearance of the National League campaign as the Red Hands travel to Mullingar to face Leinster champions Westmeath in Division 1A today.

Jordan, who has suffered recurring injuries for two years, is chosen at left half-back instead of Davy Harte.

Red Hand boss Harte has made five other changes to the side in a bid to secure a semi-final berth.

Pascal McConnell returns in goal, with John Devine dropping to the bench, and Shane Sweeney is chosen at corner-back instead of Michael McGee.

Joe McMahon takes over the right half-back slot from Brian Robinson.

In attack, Leo Meenan and Michael Coleman are selected instead of Enda McGinley and Mark Harte respectively.

Lakes County boss Páidí Ó Sé has made four changes from the side that went

down to Kerry last weekend for today's clash.

David Kilmartin and John Brennan come in for injury victims Dermot Healy and Rory O'Connell.

Kilmartin lines out in the heart of defence, with Brennan at midfield.

Colin Galligan comes in at left half-forward while Michael Flanagan moves to full-forward.

Ó Sé will not want to see his side struggle after losing out to his native county last weekend.

The Kingdom travel to Mullingar this weekend to take on Mayo - and the westerners will need no incentive following last September's All-Ireland defeat.

Mayo skipper Ciaran McDonald and Ronan McGarrity return to the side for today's clash.

McDonald, who replaces Trevor Mortimer, missed last weekend's win over Tyrone due to injury but has recovered.

McGarrity missed out last week because of his involvement with Ballina Stephenites in the All-Ireland club final, but is back at midfield in place of James Gill.

It has been a good spell for the Mayo men, following their victory over the all-conquering Tyrone last time out.

Donegal make one change to their starting side to face Offaly in today's relegation battle at Ballyshannon.

Niall McCready comes in for Damien Diver at left corner-back.

Both sides were unlucky in their respective fixtures last weekend - Donegal thought they had secured a point against the Dubs, while Offaly were denied a win over Cork.

In Division 1B, Limerick manager Liam Kearns has named the same team that went down to Kildare last weekend for today's crucial appointment with Sligo at the Gaelic Grounds.

The Treaty men need to win the clash against fellow strugglers Sligo as they have to travel to Armagh for their last league game.

Muiris Gavin, who scored four points last weekend, is named at centre-forward, while dual player Conor Fitzgerald is named at top of the right.

Following a very disappointing season for both teams, the league strugglers both need the points so a thriller could be in store.

Armagh boss Joe Kernan makes four changes to his side for the visit of Kildare to Crossmaglen.

Ronan Clarke and Andy Mallon are still carrying knocks following the clash with Sligo last time out.

Malachy Mackin and Paul Duffy replace them, while goalkeeper Ciaran McKinney is in for Paul Hearty.

JP Donnelly gets a call-up to defence for Kevin McElvanna.

After a slow start, Kildare are beginning to perform as well as is expected of them. A moralising win over neighbours Laois, and former boss Mick O'Dwyer, seemed to ignite the Lilywhites.

Wexford host Galway, but will not relish the trip as the Yellowbellies are difficult to beat on home ground.

Laois received a boost yesterday with the news that forward Stephen Kelly will be available for today's clash with Down after his red card was rescinded and his four-week ban was quashed by the GAC.

However, Gary Kavanagh will instead serve the time after an incident involving Kildare's Michael Foley during their recent league encounter at Newbridge. The GAC acknowledged that the sending off was a case of mistaken identity.

However, there is further bad news for manager Mick O'Dwyer, as captain Kevin Fitzpatrick could be out for six weeks if he is forced to undergo an operation on a recurring groin injury.

Down need to win this one in to be on their way to ensuring their safety.

TYRONE (SF v Westmeath): P McConnell; R McMenamin, C Lawn, S Sweeney; J McMahon, G Devlin, P Jordan; C Holmes, S Cavanagh; B Dooher, S O'Neill, R Mellon; L Meenan, M Penrose, M Coleman.

WESTMEATH (SF v Tyrone): G Connaughton; J Davitt, D O'Donoghue, J Keane; M Lennon, D Kilmartin, D Heavin; J Brennan, D O'Shaughnessy; P Tormey, J Fallon, C Galligan; D Glennon, M Flanagan, D Dolan.

MAYO (SF v Kerry): D Clarke; L O'Malley, D Heaney, K Higgins; G Mullins, J Nallen, P Gardiner; R McGarrity, BJ Padden; A Moran, C McDonald, A Kilcoyne; C Mortimer, A Dillon, J Prenty.

DONEGAL (SF v Offaly): P Curcan; N McCready, R Sweeney, E McGee; S Carr, B Monaghan, k Cassiday; N Gallagher, S McDermott; C Toye, M Hegarty, B Roper; C McFadden, R Bradley, R Kavanagh.

LIMERICK (SF v Sligo): S Kiely; M O’Riordan, D Sheehy, J McCarthy; P Browne, S Lavin, C Mullane; J Quane, J Donovan; M Crowley, M Gavin, S Buckley; C Fitzgerald, J Galvin, M Reidy.

ARMAGH (SF v Kildare): C McKinney; P Duffy, F Bellew, P McCormack; JP Donnelly, C McKeever, A McCann; J Toal, P McGrane, P McKeever, J McEntee, M Mackin; S McDonnell, O McConville, M O'Rourke.