Niall Carew keeps his place in the Sligo starting XV for Sunday's Bank of Ireland All-Ireland football quarter-final clash with Ulster champions Armagh following his match-turning introduction against Tyrone two weeks ago. The Strandhill/Coolera club man has been chosen ahead of regular corner-back Mark Cosgrove, whom he replaced to such dramatic effect last time out.
Carew, anxious to make amends for his sending-off against Kildare on his last outing at Croke Park, produced a typically determined and gritty display following his first-half introduction against Tyrone, and Sligo went from to strength to completely dominate the closing stages and emerge deserved five point winners.
Sligo manager Peter Forde will be hoping for more of the same from the 26-year-old, who will start at corner-back, with Nigel Clancy continuing at full-back. Brendan Phillips switches to centre-back. In the forwards, St Mary's' Mark Brehony moves from right-half-forward to right-corner-forward, with the taller and more physical John McPartland moving in the opposite direction.
Paul Taylor will have to be content with a place on the bench despite his continuing return to full fitness, with forwards Dara McGarty, Dessie Sloyan and Gerry McGowan hoping to continue where they left off against Tyrone.
The match, along with all the other Bank Holiday quarter-finals, will be broadcast live on Network 2 and RTÉ Radio 1.
Sligo XV v Armagh: J Curran, N Carew, N Clancy, P Naughton, N McGuire, B Phillips, D Durkin, P Durcan, E O'Hara, J McPartland, K Quinn, D McGarty, D Sloyan, M Brehony, G McGowan.
Filed by Shane Murray
