Fanning back for Louth footballers

Mick Fanning will make his seasonal debut for Louth in Sunday's Leinster SFC quarter-final against Carlow in Portlaoise (throw-in 3.30pm).

The Naomh Mairtin clubman travelled to Australia in the winter and then on to Boston and his recent return home, along with that of John O'Brien, was admittedly 'a surprise' to Louth boss Peter Fitzpatrick.

O'Brien has not been cleared by the GAA to play this weekend, but Fanning is available and he slots straight in at centre-back alongside Ray Finnegan and Liam Shevlin.

Dessie Finnegan reverts to left corner back, with Cooley Kickhams clubman Brian Donnelly getting the nod over Ronan Carroll at midfield.

In the forwards, Shane Lennon has recovered from a leg injury to don the number 14 jersey, joining the experienced JP Rooney and an in-form Derek Maguire in the full-forward line.

David Reid, who has also been in impressive form of late, is listed at wing forward, but his Mattock Rangers club-mate Mark Brennan misses out. He has a back injury which requires further treatment.

After going so close to lifting the Delaney Cup last year, Fitzpatrick's charges will be all out to go one better this time around. A win this weekend would set up a semi-final clash with either Wexford or Westmeath on Sunday, June 26.

LOUTH (SFC v Carlow): Sean Connor; Declan Byrne, Aaron Hoey, Dessie Finnegan; Ray Finnegan, Mick Fanning, Liam Shevlin; Paddy Keenan (capt), Brian Donnelly; Derek Crilly, David Reid, Adrian Reid; Derek Maguire, Shane Lennon, JP Rooney.

Subs used: Neil Gallagher, Andy McDonnell, Paraic Smith, Ronan Carroll, Gerard Hoey, Eamonn McAuley, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Darren Clarke, Jamie Carr, Padraig Rath, Ronan Greene.