Sport

McIver keeps faith with starting 15 despite improved options

McIver's side face a tricky task away to Galway in Salthill following their underwhelming display against Wexford
McIver's side face a tricky task away to Galway in Salthill following their underwhelming display against Wexford McIver's side face a tricky task away to Galway in Salthill following their underwhelming display against Wexford

DERRY manager Brian McIver has kept faith with the same starting 15 which beat Wexford last weekend for this Saturday’s Qualifier meeting with Galway.

Gareth McKinless of Ballinderry is named among the subs, along with Michael McIver and Karl McKaigue who are both named on the bench for the first time after returning from injury.

Tyrone make the long trip south to face Tipperary at Semple Stadium, with manager Mickey Harte making a number of personnel and positional changes, mostly in the forward division.

Rory Brennan moves into the half-forward line from half-back and Peter Harte drops from midfield into the half-back line in his place.

Mattie Donnelly is named at midfield after being selected at number 11 for the win over Meath.

Tiernan McCann, introduced to great effect last weekend, is named from the start at number 10.

Richard Donnelly and Barry Tierney both drop to the bench from the 40 while Mark Bradley moves from corner-forward to the centre of the attack. Darren McCurry resumes at number 13.

Sean Cavanagh will set a new record for Tyrone with a 76th Championship appearance, moving clear of previous leader Conor Gormley.

Elsewhere, Donal Vaughan will start Sunday’s Connacht final for Mayo in place of the injured Kevin Keane. He is named at number three but with Ger Cafferky named in the corner and Tom Cunniffe named at centre-half, a defensive reshuffle is on the cards.

Aidan O’Shea is again named at 11 but is expected to move closer to goal once more.

Sligo have unsurprisingly named an unchanged line-up from the side which deservedly shocked Roscommon in the semi-final.

Criostoir Davey, despite picking up a first half black card in that game, retains his place at wing-forward, with the in-form Adrian Marren in alongside Pat Hughes and David Kelly inside.

Cork manager Brian Cuthbert has named an unchanged team for the eagerly awaited Munster final replay with Kerry at Fitzgerald Stadium.

Once again there is no starting place for Colm Cooper in the Kerry team and he will share a place on the bench with the returning Paul Galvin.

Manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice makes four changes in personnel.

Aidan O’Mahony replaces the Kingdom’s saviour the last day, Fionn Fitzgerald, in the full back line while Paul Murphy has recovered from injury and comes into the half-back line for Peter Crowley.

Anthony Maher is selected at midfield as Bryan Sheehan moves into the half-forward line in place of Stephen O’Brien. Forward Paul Geaney comes in for Barry John Keane.