O'Rourke to start for Armagh

Armagh have made two alterations to their forward line for Sunday's Ulster football final against Donegal at Croke Park. As suspected, manager Joe Kernan has failed to gamble on the fitness of wing forward Paddy McKeever, who is carrying a hamstring injury, and given the number-10 shirt to Martin O'Rourke instead.

The other change sees John McEntee start at centre forward in a straight tactical swap with Stephen Kernan. Otherwise the team is unchanged from the one that beat Fermanagh by five points in the semi-final replay.

Paul Hearty remains in goal, while Brian Mallon, who missed the last game with an ankle injury, has failed to regain his place in the forward line.

O'Rourke appeared as a second-half substitute against Fermanagh, as did Tony McEntee, who wasn't available for selection because of a foot injury.

Kieran McGeeney continues to play a midfield role alongside team captain Paul McGrane, with Francie Bellew again starting at full back alongside Andy Mallon and Enda McNulty.

The full-forward line of Steven McDonnell, Ronan Clarke and Oisín McConville is also unchanged, with McConville poised to better the Ulster football scoring record of 218 points, which he shares with Tyrone's Peter Canavan.

Elsewhere, Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer has made some notable changes to his line-up for Saturday's All-Ireland second-round qualifier against Tyrone. There are four changes from the team that fell heavily to Dublin in the Leinster semi-final, while only six players line out in the same positions as in that game.

With midfielder Pádraig Clancy ruled out with a shoulder injury, former Australian Rules recruit Brendan Quigley starts alongside Noel Garvan. Paul McDonald replaces Cathal Ryan in defence, while team captain Gary Kavanagh, fit again after a knee injury, comes into the attack in place of Donie Brennan.

Brian McCormack is another indirect replacement, for Paul Lawlor in attack. McCormack comes in at left wing forward, with Brian McDonald selected at full forward, and Billy Sheehan also moving up a line.

Darren Rooney goes to full back, Pádraig McMahon moving out to wing back. Fergal Byron, Aidan Fennelly, Tom Kelly, Noel Garvan, Ross Munnelly and Chris Conway are the only players to retain their starting positions.

Tyrone are due to name their team this evening, the main concern still surrounding forward Stephen O'Neill, who looks set to play some role despite an enduring hamstring injury.

Details were announced yesterday of the inaugural Campa Chormaic GAA Forum, to be held in the Armagh City Hotel on August 1st. It will feature several greats of the modern game, including Jack O'Shea, Mickey Harte, Seán Boylan, Peter Canavan, Jarlath Burns, Terence McNaughton and Tony Scullion.

The Forum is part of the two-week Campa in Brantry, Tyrone, in memory of Cormac McAnallen.

In its second year, Campa Chormaic is organised for 10-to-15-year-olds and aims to promote Gaelic games and foster interest in the Irish language and culture.

The camp runs for two weeks from July 31st and will offer language classes in the mornings and focus on football, hurling and camogie in the afternoons.

ARMAGH (SF v Donegal): P Hearty; A Mallon, F Bellew, E McNulty; A Kernan, K McKeever, P Duffy; P McGrane, K McGeeney; M O'Rourke, J McEntee, M Mackin; S McDonnell, R Clarke, O McConville.

LAOIS (SF v Tyrone): F Byron; A Fennelly, D Rooney, J Higgins; P McDonald, T Kelly, P McMahon; N Garvan, B Quigley; R Munnelly, C Conway, B McCormack; B Sheehan, B McDonald, G Kavanagh.