Dublin forward Jim Gavin will be available to Tom Carr for this Sunday's pivotal National Football League Division 1A tie against Donegal, despite being dismissed during a club game at the weekend.
The Dublin free-taker was among four players sent to the line during Round Towers' league game against Lucan Sarsfields, but escapes punishment as it was for two bookable offences.
With Jim McGuinness, the influential Donegal midfielder who played with Jordanstown in last weekend's Sigerson Cup, due to return to inter-county duty, both sides will be placing a lot of emphasis on a match that will propel the victors into a strong play-off position.
McGuinness, one of the few remaining links to Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland triumph, was injured during Ulster's Railway Cup triumph three weeks ago, and his return is a boost for manager Declan Bonner.
There is speculation that Bonner may give a debut to Martin Caulfield, a strong prospect from Bonner's home club Na Rossa, when he names his team tonight. Concerns remain, however, about Damien Diver, the seasoned halfback who was injured during Donegal's weekend McKenna Cup win.
Meanwhile, Dublin secretary John Costello has reported that the county board has not received transfer papers from former Hill 16 favourite Vinny Murphy. The forward has been resident in Tralee for the last number of years but is expected to move back to the capital amid rumours that he has been offered a chance to resume his intercounty career.
Armagh hope to pick their team tonight as they prepare to host Cork. Na Fianna pair Kieran McGeeney and Des Mackin, who are involved in the All-Ireland club final, have confirmed their availability, but it remains unclear if any of the Crossmaglen players who will face Na Fianna will feature.
"The Cross lads are presently training with us one night a week and we are hopeful that a few of them will be available," says Armagh PRO Patrick Nugent.
Although the Ulster champions made the league semi-finals last year, they have displayed brittle form this term and will be anxious to secure the points.
"I think it's fair to say we need them. A win would give us a slim possibility of making the play-offs but if we are beaten, we are gone," added Nugent.
History does not bode well for Meath's visit to Celtic Park where they meet league leaders Derry. The current All-Ireland champions have not beaten the northern side in the league since 1981. However, Trevor Giles is due to return after injury. Meath's main casualties are midfielder John McDermott and centre back Enda McManus, who still has a groin strain.
Meanwhile, Martin Lynch and John Finn have resumed training with Kildare and could be included in the team to play Clare on Sunday. Neither player has lined out with the county team since last summer's championship game against Offaly. Padraic Gravin, who missed the 1999 championship because of injury, has also returned. The Westmeath county board will meet this evening to decide who takes charge of the county side for Sunday's Division 2A match against Leitrim. Secretary Paddy Collins says that while the board will appeal the six-month ban placed on manager Brendan Lowry before the GAA's management comittee this weekend, they have not received any written notification from Croke Park.
If Lowry's appeal fails, Westmeath will essentially have to appoint a successor as the suspension precludes him from any GAA activity for the full 24-week duration.
