Kildare bid for semi-final spot - Div 1B preview

Kildare host lowly Sligo in Division 1B in Newbridge today, and the home side are in with a long shot of making the National Football League semi-final line-up.

However, the Lilywhites need to win by a large margin and hope Wexford lose.

Already-relegated Sligo have injury worries over the fitness of inspirational midfielder Eamonn O'Hara.

Wexford welcome Leinster finalists Laois to Wexford Park and have to grind out a result to reach the semi-finals as a result of last weekend's defeat to Galway.

Manager Pat Roe could also be without team captain John Hudson, who is struggling with a foot injury.

Laois boss Mick O'Dwyer has included Brian 'Beano' McDonald on the bench for today's tie.

McDonald has been out of the game because of a bad leg injury, sustained during the All-Ireland qualifiers against Tyrone last year.

Both Joe Higgins and Ian Fitzgerald are also included in the squad.

Galway welcome Down to Ballinasloe, but they must hope that Wexford lose for them to reach the semi-finals.

The Tribesmen will be relying heavily on Pauric Joyce, who was instrumental in their win over the Slaneysiders last week.

Limerick make the long and daunting trip to Crossmaglen today, with only the smallest chance of surviving the drop.

They need to trounce Armagh today to be in with any hope of staying up - a tough ask, even though Liam Kearns is beginning to get his injury victims back.

Dual player Stephen Lucey is set for his first league start of the season today.

The Croom man, who was introduced as a substitute during last weekend's win over fellow strugglers Sligo, returns to midfield and partners John Quane at the expense of James Donovan.

Sharpshooter Muiris Gavin, who limped out during last week's match, has been passed fit to play. Tommy Stack returns at right corner-back for Mark O'Riordan, and Stephen Kelly is named in attack for Sean Buckley.

Armagh boss Joe Kernan, knowing his side are assured of semi-final action, has named his two sons in the side.

Stephen has been chosen at left half-forward, while Aaron replaces Andrew McCann at left half-back.

Paul Hearty returns between the sticks for Ciaran McKinney and flying forward Ronan Clarke returns from an injury picked up in the league game against Sligo two weeks ago.

John McEntee goes to midfield for Paul McGrane, but the Orchard are without Oisin McConville for the clash.

LAOIS: (SF v Wexford): F Byron; D Conroy, D Rooney, P Begley; A Fennelly, T Kelly, P McDonald; P Clancy, N Garvan; R Munnelly, C Conway, D Miller; S Cooke, S Kelly, S Sheehan.

ARMAGH (SF v Limerick): P Hearty; P Waters, F Bellew, E McNulty; A O'Rourke, C McKeever, A Kernan; J McEntee, J Toal; P McKeever, B Mallon, S Kernan; M Mackin, S McDonnell, R Clarke.

LIMERICK (SF v Armagh): S Kiely; T Stack, D Sheehy, J McCarthy; P Browne, S Lavin, C Mullane; J Quane, S Lucey; M Crowley, M Gavin, S Kelly; C Fitzgerald, J Galvin, M Reidy.