The return of Niall Buckley to his familiar midfield position is one of five changes in the Kildare team to face Meath in Sunday's second Leinster football championship in Croke Park. Buckley will get his first start in over two years, having spent last summer playing in Chicago and the summer before suffering from injury. He made a significant contribution in the quarter-final win over Carlow after appearing as a substitute midway through the second half.

The further alterations in manager Mick O'Dwyer's team from the line-up that beat Carlow earlier this month are through a combination of injuries, suspension and tactics.

Anthony Rainbow failed to make sufficient recovery from the shoulder injury suffered during a practice match last weekend and his position at wing back goes to Michael Wright. Glen Ryan is also ruled out through an ankle injury and taking over at centre back is Martin Ryan, who moves up from full back. That makes way at full back for newcomer Cormac Davey.

Buckley takes over at midfield from the suspended Willie McCreery, who was red-carded against Carlow. Martin Lynch takes the place of Pat Murray at right half forward. Eddie McCormack has regained full fitness following a groin operation and then a hamstring injury. The man losing out there is Brian Murphy, who will be a substitute.

Opponents Meath trained in Navan last night but manager Sean Boylan deferred naming his side. Enda McManus is the main injury worry. John McDermott may yet be fit despite suffering a broken toe in his brief return in a challenge game against Monaghan last weekend.

Kildare (SF v Meath): C Byrne; B Lacey, C Davey, K Doyle; K Duane, M Ryan, M Wright; R Sweeney, N Buckley; M Lynch, J Doyle, D Earley; P Brennan, K O'Dwyer, E McCormack.