ROSCOMMON MANAGER Des Newton has resisted the temptation to start any of the All-Ireland under-21 finalists in Sunday’s Connacht football championship opener against Galway at Dr Hyde Park. Roscommon pushed Dublin every step of the way in that final last Sunday week, resulting in Newton calling up eight under-21 players to his senior panel. Despite speculation midfielders Niall Daly and Cathal Shine and forward Donie Smith might start, Newton has gone for the more established players, with Michael Finneran partnering Karol Mannion at midfield.
Galway have included two debutants – Kieran McGrath and Keith Kelly – who will line up either side of skipper Finian Hanley in the full-back line. Seán Armstrong returns at right-corner forward and Damien Burke returns at centre forward.
Laois manager Justin McNulty has named a strong team for Sunday’s Leinster football opener against Longford at Pearse Park, although there is no place for 2010 captain Pádraig McMahon.
New Antrim manager Jerry Wallace has included several members of All-Ireland champions Loughgiel Shamrocks, including Liam Watson, for Saturday’s Leinster hurling championship opener against Westmeath at Mullingar.
The prospects of Ciarán McManus returning to the Offaly football team ahead of their meeting with Kildare look to be over, as manager Tom Coffey has confirmed McManus was unable to commit to the team.
ROSCOMMON: (SF v Galway): G Claffey; SMcDermott, N Carty, S Purcell; C Dineen, P Domican, I Kilbride; M Finneran, K Mannion; D Keenan, C Cregg, J Rogers; S Kilbride, D McDermott, D Shine.
LAOIS: (SF v Longford): D Culliton; C Healy, K Lillis, P O’Leary; D Strong, S Julian, C Boyle; J O’Loughlin, B Quigley; K Meaney, B Sheehan, C Begley; R Munnelly, P Clancy, G Walsh.
GALWAY (SF v Roscommon): A Faherty; K McGrath, F Hanley, K Kelly; G Bradshaw, J Duane, G O’Donnell; J Bergin, G Higgins; G Sice, D Burke, T Flynn; S Armstrong, P Conroy, M Hehir.
ANTRIM (SH v Westmeath): DD Quinn; JK Conor, Carson Aaron Graffin, M Gettens; N McManus, N Mc Auley; B Mc Auley, P Shiels; M Herron, B McFall, E McCloskey; D Hamill L Watson, S McNaughton.
