Dublin place Christie in problem spot

DUBLIN have made three changes from the side that lost to Donegal in their last National Football League outing for the all-ticket match against All-Ireland champions Galway at Parnell Park on Sunday.

Paddy Christie is the latest to be tried in the problem full back position with Shane Ryan switching to right corner back at the expense of Liam Walsh, while the other enforced defensive change sees Ian Robertson's return to the half back line where he replaces the suspended Keith Galvin.

In attack, Naomh Mearnog's Brian Irwin will start his first league match. He comes in for Ray Cosgrove at corner forward. Incidentally, Declan Darcy and Niall O'Donoghue, two of Dublin's "prodigal sons," have transferred to city clubs - Darcy to St Brigid's and O'Donoghue to Ballymun Kickhams.

Although there has been a brisk demand for tickets to the match, the Dublin County Board offices will be open until 5.0 this evening when a limited number of unsold tickets will be available.

Meath's Jimmy McGuinness, who has overcome his injury problems, will play his first game for the county since last year's championship clash against Louth when he lines out against Mayo in Sunday's league game in Crossmolina. McGuinness's return is one of three surprise changes in personnel from the team that was well beaten by Derry in Navan in Meath's last outing. Cormac Murphy, selected at left corner back, will be making his first league start in over two years, while hurler Fergus McMahon has been drafted in at full forward. McMahon, who has represented the county at under-21 level, played at full forward for the Meath hurlers against London last Sunday. McGuinness has been named at midfield alongside Nigel Crawford. John McDermott is still ruled out by injury. The players to lose out are Nigel Nestor (who is suspended), Ned Kearney and Jody Devine.

Mick O'Dwyer doesn't believe in tinkering with the Kildare engine too much. With just one point from the remaining two matches required to secure a place in the quarter-finals, the team to face Monaghan in Division 1B at Newbridge on Sunday sees one change from the side that stretched their unbeaten sequence to five games against Clare two weeks ago.

In the only change, Martin Ryan has been drafted into the right half back position with Derek Maher dropping down to the substitutes' bench. Due to their involvement with the county's under-21 footballers tomorrow, Dermot Earley and Padraig Brennan weren't considered for places in the starting lineup but are included among the substitutes.

Glen Ryan is again missing from action, the team management preferring to give his injured knee more time to heal rather than press him back to duty too soon.

Donegal manager Declan Bonner has made two changes from the side which defeated Dublin in his side's last outing for Sunday's encounter with league champions Offaly. Paul Callaghan returns as goalkeeper in place of Tony Blake while John Duffy is preferred to Brian McLaughlin at left corner forward.

Tyrone have made one enforced change for their league clash with Cork in Dungannon, bringing in Davitt McElroy at midfield for the suspended Ciaran McBride.

Brian Dooher's leg injury has responded slowly to treatment, and he won't even make the bench. Incidentally, the starting time has been brought forward to 2.30 to facilitate visiting supporters.

Lacken's Joe Crowe will make his league debut for Cavan in their Division 2B encounter with Tipperary at Breffni Park. Crowe has been given the pivotal centre half forward position.