Dublin selectors have decided to stick with the same team that lost to Meath in the Leinster Senior Football final for their qualifier against Sligo at Croke Park on Sunday. Martin Cahill will return to the side after suffering concussion early in the Meath game, pushing his replacement Shane Ryan back to the bench. "We managed to come through Sunday's game relatively injury free except for a few minor knocks, and that helps, but you don't know how the players are going to recover psychologically from losing such a hard game," said selector John O'Leary.
Sligo have had an extra week to recover after their surprise victory over Kildare and will hope to keep up this winning momentum. Brendan Philips will come in for the suspended Niall Carew at corner back. Sligo star Paul Taylor, who will miss the game through injury, is aware of the threat posed by Dublin. "In Croke Park, the Dubs are a serious obstacle for any team. They should really have won the Leinster title. Their backs seem to be very tight and their midfield was very dominant. In fact, they're very strong down the middle. Ciaran Whelan was brilliant when he got going, and the whole team looked extremely hungry," said Taylor.
Damien Healy will take over from the ill Derek Heavin in the Westmeath team to play Mayo tomorrow evening. Star forward Des Dolan and midfielder David O'Shaughnessy are both struggling with ankle injuries, but manager Luke Dempsey remains hopeful that they can return to the team. Mayo will name their side for the playoff later today.
Dermot Dougan will return at centre forward on the Derry team in their qualifier against Cavan, while manager Eamonn Coleman has left a vacancy at right half forward. Cavan manager Val Andrews is still awaiting the results of fitness tests on Barry McCrudden and John Tierney, while Gerry Sheridan has recovered from injury and will replace Rory Donoghue.
A limited supply of stand tickets for Sunday's two All-Ireland qualifiers at Croke Park will go on sale from the Cusack Stand side of Croke Park from 10.00am tomorrow morning.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
