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GAA Digest: Cooper out as Gavin opts for Dubs reshuffle

Eoghan O'Gara fires to the net against Westmeath
Eoghan O'Gara fires to the net against Westmeath

Jim Gavin has dropped Jonny Cooper for the Leinster SFC final against Kildare (4pm, live blog on RTÉ.ie, live coverage on RTÉ2 TV and RTÉ Radio 1), with Bernard Brogan again being held in reserve and Philly McMahon also on the bench. 

Eoghan O'Gara starts at full-forward after his impressive second-half display against Westmeath three weeks ago. 

The Dubs pulverised their opponents last time out, waltzing to a 4-29 to 0-10 success.

McMahon missed out due to a hamstring niggle, having being suspended for the quarter-final defeat of Carlow.

Brogan, 33, was sprung from the bench against Westmeath after 47 minutes and plundered 0-02.

Kildare have named an unchanged starting 15.

Boss Cian O'Neill has retained faith in the Lilywhites side that beat Meath in the semi-final in Tullamore

Dublin v (Kildare): S Cluxton; D Daly, M Fitzimons, E Lowndes; J MccCarthy, C O'Sullivan, J McCaffrey; B Fenton, C Kilkenny; N Scully, P Mannion, C O'Callaghan; P Andrews, E O'Gara, D Rock

Kildare: Mark Donnellan; Mick O'Grady, David Hyland, Ollie Lyons; Johnny Byrne, Eoin Doyle, Keith Cribbin; Kevin Feely, Tommy Moolick; Fergal Conway, Niall Kelly, David Slattery; Paddy Brophy, Daniel Flynn, Cathal McNally.

Elsewhere, Tyrone boss Mickey Harte has stuck with the same starting 15 that powered past Donegal for Sunday's Ulster SFC final against Down (2pm).

The Red Hands were highly impressive last time out as they cruised into provincial decider with a comprehensive 1-21 to 1-12 win in Clones.

Richard Donnelly returns to the matchday squad for the first time this year as Harte's men look to defend their title.

Tyrone (v Down): N Morgan; A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron; T McCann, P Hampsey, P Harte; C Cavanagh, C McCann; D Mulgrew, N Sludden, K McGeary; M Bradley, S Cavanagh (c), M Donnelly

Down have made just one change to the side that beat Monaghan.

Half-forward Joe Murphy replaces Peter Turley. 

Down: Michael Cunningham; Niall McParland, Gerard McGovern, Darren O'Hagan; Darragh O'Hanlon, Conaill McGovern, Caolan Mooney; Kevin McKernan, Niall Donnelly; Joe Murphy, Conor Maginn, Shay Millar; Jerome Johnston, Connaire Harrison, Ryan Johnston.

Tipperary boss Liam Kearns has handed a championship debut to Willie Connors, in one of two changes to the Premier County’s line-up for Saturday’s football qualifier against Armagh at Semple Stadium.

The Kiladangan clubman has been drafted into the Tipperary defence.

Philip Austin, who made a major impact after his introduction in the 2-15 to 0-18 win over Cavan last Saturday, will start against the Orchard County.

However, All Star attacker Michael Quinlivan has missed out on a starting spot as he continues his recovery from injury.

Tipperary (v Armagh): C Kenrick, W Connors, A Campbell, E Moloney, B Maher, R Kiely, J Feehan, L Casey, G Hannigan, J Keane, K O’Halloran, B Fox (captain), C Sweeney, J Kennedy, P Austin

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