Midlanders keep 'Beano' in reserve

Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer has kept Brian 'Beano' McDonald in reserve for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifier against Derry at Croke Park.

McDonald, who has only recently come back from a broken leg, has paid the price for a scoreless outing in the Leinster final on July 17 as O'Dwyer has plumped for 2003 minor All-Ireland winner Donie Brennan at corner forward.

That is the only change from the midlanders' side that lost 0-13 to 0-14 to Dublin just over two weeks ago.

Both Darren Rooney, who starts again at full-back, and Barry Brennan have shaken off injuries to start.

Noted centre forward Brennan, back from a hamstring injury, is switched to full-forward in a direct switch with captain Kevin Fitzpatrick.

LAOIS (SFC v Derry): F Byron; A Fennelly, D Rooney, J Higgins; C Begley, T Kelly, P McMahon; N Garvan, P Clancy; R Munnelly, K Fitzpatrick (capt), B Sheehan; D Brennan, B Brennan, C Conway.