Six changes for Kildare

Kildare manager John Crofton has been forced to ring the changes for tomorrow evening's All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier against Cavan (Newbridge, throw-in 7pm).

A plethora of injuries has forced Crofton's hand with Kevin O'Neill, Tommy Archbold and Tomas O'Connor to make their championship debuts against the Breffni men.

In all, there are six changes to the team that started the controversial 0-15 to 3-09 Leinster SFC quarter-final defeat to Offaly last month.

In defence, Moorefield's O'Neill and veteran championship campaigner Anthony Rainbow replace the injured James Lonergan and Padraig Mullarkey. Mark Hogarty moves from full-back to the left corner to facilitate O'Neill with the injured David Lyons making way for Mick Foley at left half-back.

The experienced trio of Derek McCormack, Karl Ennis and Tadhg Fennin - all nursing injuries - have been replaced by Archbold, O'Connor and James Kavanagh in a rejigged attack.

Kavanagh starts at centre forward with Ballymore's Archbold, a former minor star, and Clane clubman O'Connor, the son of Offaly's 1982 All-Ireland winner of the same name, in at right corner forward and full-forward respectively.

It has been 71 years since Kildare and Cavan last met in the championship. The 1935 All-Ireland final saw Cavan defeat the Lilywhites by 3-06 to 2-05. Kildare supporters have every reason to be wary ahead of tomorrow's tie as since the introduction of the qualifiers in 2001, they have watched their side win just once in six qualifier outings.

KILDARE (SFC v Cavan) - E Murphy; A McLoughlin, K O’Neill, M Hogarty; A Rainbow, J Divilly, M Foley; D Earley, K Brennan; R Sweeney, J Kavanagh, J Doyle; T Archbold, T O’Connor, P O’Neill.