ROUND 1 OF the All-Ireland senior football qualifiers takes place this weekend.
Here’s some of the team news from the counties involved.
Laois
Justin McNulty has made six changes to his Laois team for their All-Ireland qualifier clash tomorrow night with Carlow from the team that were heavily defeated in their provincial opener against Louth.
Into the team in defence comes Paul Begley at right corner-back and Kieran Lillis at centre-back while Padraig Clancy will start at midfield.
The additions to their attack are Billy Sheehan at wing-forward, Conor Meredith at centre-forward and David Conway at corner-forward.
The players to make way include Denis Booth, Conor Boyle, Brendan Quigley, Damien O’Connor, Gary Walsh and Colm Kelly.
LAOIS: Eoin Culliton (Timahoe); Paul Begley (Stradbally), Mark Timmons (Graiguecullen), Peter O’Leary (O’Dempsey’s); Darren Strong (Emo), Kieran Lillis (Portlaoise), Padraig McMahon (Ballyroan Abbey); John O’Loughlin (St Brigid’s), Padraig Clancy (Timahoe); Billy Sheehan (Emo), Conor Meredith (O’Dempsey’s), Colm Begley (Parnells); Ross Munnelly (Arles-Kilcruise), Donal Kingston (Arles-Killeen), David Conway (Arles-Kilcruise).
Westmeath
Dessie Dolan continues to be marked absent for the Westmeath senior footballers as they get set for Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier against Fermanagh in Mullingar.
Dolan was a late withdrawal through injury before their Leinster quarter-final loss to Dublin. His replacement on that occasion was Ciaran Curley but he is replaced by Lorcan Smith for this game.
The other change in personnel by manager Pat Flanagan sees Denis Corron come into the half-forward line with James Dolan switching to wing-back and Doron Harte making way.
WESTMEATH: Gary Connaughton (Tubberclair); Mark McCallion (Garrycastle), Kieran Gavin (Mullingar Shamrocks), Kevin Maguire (Caulry); John Gaffey (Garrycastle),Paul Sharry (St Loman’s), James Dolan (Garrycastle); David Duffy (Shandonagh), John Heslin (St Loman’s); Kieran Martin (Maryland), Callum McCormack (Maryland), Denis Corroon (Mullingar Shamrocks); Ger Egan (Tyrrellspass), Lorcan Smith (Mullingar Shamrocks), Denis Glennon (Tyrrellspass).
Armagh
Crossmaglen Rangers defender James Morgan has come into the Armagh team for Sunday’s All-Ireland Round 1 qualifier against Wicklow.
Brendan Donaghy, who came on as a substitute in the Ulster championship loss to Cavan, also starts after returning to full fitness.
In the forward line, Ethan Rafferty will start in the half-forward line, while Eugene McVerry, who has impressed in recent challenge games, is also handed a starting spot by manager Paul Grimley.
The four players to lose out are Declan McKenna, Ciaran O’Hanlon, Stefan Forker and Finnian Moriarty.
ARMAGH: Paul McEvoy; Paul McKeown, Brendan Donaghy, James Morgan; Aaron Kernan, Ciaran McKeever, Mark Shields; James Lavery, Stephen Harold; Caolan Rafferty, Kevin Dyas, Ethan Rafferty; Jamie Clarke, Tony Kernan, Eugene McVerry.
