GAELIC GAMES: Dublin manager Paul Caffrey has announced an unchanged line-up for Sunday's Leinster football quarter-final against Meath. Having breezed past Longford in their first-round match three weeks ago, Dublin's starting 15 was expected to remain intact as long as they avoided injuries.
Caffrey has resisted making changes despite the far more arduous task that awaits his team in Croke Park this time. The 19-point victory over Longford proved little beyond the fact Dublin were off to a good start without knowing much about their actual form.
There had been some concern over Shane Ryan after he pulled out of a recent club match with a hamstring injury, but he has convinced Caffrey of his fitness. Caffrey made five substitutions the last day, but only after Dublin's victory had become a formality.
Stephen O'Shaughnessy was the sole championship debutant against Longford, but did enough to hold his place at left wing back, while former dual specialist Conal Keaney again starts at full forward, where his 1-4 contribution the last day helped earn him the man of the match award.
It means Dublin will start with nine of the team that beat Meath in the Leinster semi-final three years ago. Gone are defenders Jonny Magee and Peadar Andrews, midfielder Darren Homan, and forwards Senan Connell, Ray Cosgrove and John McNally.
Into the team come O'Shaughnessy and Keaney with Paul Griffin, Bryan Cullen, Jason Sherlock and Tomás Quinn.
Meath have delayed naming their starting line-up until tomorrow evening, as manager Seán Boylan continues to address his list of absentees that includes Trevor Giles.
First up in Croke Park on Sunday is the meeting of Carlow and Wexford. Former Meath All-Ireland medal winner and now Carlow manager Liam Hayes has named his strongest possible line-up. The team includes three players who will be having their first taste of senior championship - Richie Sinnott in defence, Pat Walsh at midfield and Ray Walker who leads the attack.
There is a vacancy at left corner back in anticipation that Paul Cashin will pass a fitness test on Saturday.
Otherwise the team is backboned by the side which scored an impressive 4-15 to 1-16 win over Longford at the same stage last year before going down to Laois by five points. Pat Walsh is joined at midfield by his brother Tom while the full-forward line includes the experienced and talented trio of Simon Rea, Mark Carpenter and Mark Brennan.
Johnny Nevin is listed among the substitutes but will play full back for the hurlers in the Christy Ring Cup against Wicklow on Saturday night. Wexford will announce their team this morning.
Sunday's double bill in Croke Park is expected to attract a crowd of over 50,000. Stand tickets cost €25 and Hill 16 tickets €15, and will be on sale from the Croke Park ticket office from tomorrow morning.
For the Munster hurling semi-final between Tipperary and Clare at the Gaelic Grounds, admission to the covered and uncovered stand is by ticket only. Admission to the terraces is by cash at the turnstiles on Sunday.
In other hurling news, Wexford defender Nigel Higgins has almost certainly been ruled out of the Leinster semi-final against Laois on Sunday week after being involved in a car accident at the weekend. Higgins sustained blows to the shoulder and knee, although the full extent of his injuries will not be known until further X-rays take place.
Former All Star Darragh Ryan played at full back for 25 minutes in a challenge game win over Galway in Portlaoise on Monday evening, and looks set to play in the Laois game despite the recent recurrence of a knee injury.
Monaghan have still a number of injury worries in the run-up to Sunday's game in Clones against Derry with the result team manager Seamus McEnaney has been forced to leave the right wing forward position vacant as he awaits a fitness on James McElroy.
McEnaney is without the services of Rory Woods who is suspended following his dismissal against Derry in the National League Division Two semi-final in April and Mark Daly is ruled out with an Achilles injury. Woods is replaced in the attack by Dermot McArdle.
Fergal Duffy has recovered from injury and lines out in midfield while Hugh McElroy is also available following his suspected torn ligaments scare and is named among the substitutes.
Monaghan have not beaten Derry in a championship game since 1985 and of the 12 meetings between these sides since 1955 they have won only three. Three have been drawn with Derry winning all three replays.
DUBLIN (SF v Meath): S Cluxton; P Griffin, P Christie, S O'Shaughnessy; P Casey, B Cahill, C Goggins; C Whelan, S Ryan; C Moran, A Brogan, B Cullen; J Sherlock, C Keaney, T Quinn.
CARLOW (SF v Wexford): J Brennan; C McCarthy, B Farrell, A N Other; J Hayden, L Murphy, R Sinnott; T Walsh, P Walsh; B Carberry, R Walker, P Hickey; S Rea, M Carpenter, M Brennan.
MONAGHAN (SF v Derry): S Duffy; G McQuaid, V Corey, C Flanagan; D Freeman, J Coyle, S Gollogly; D Clerkin, F Duffy; A N Other, P Finlay, N Corrigan; T Freeman, R Ronaghan, D McArdle.
