Kevin Walsh is back on the Galway team to play Cork in the final qualifying round in Croke Park this Sunday. The long-serving Kilanin man, who was the lynchpin of the country's All-Ireland success three years ago, steps in for Sean O Domhnaill, who is getting married on Saturday.

Walsh missed most of the league through injury but featured regularly from the bench in Galway's qualifying campaign.

It will be intriguing to see how his vast experience aids Michael Donnellan's metamorphosis as a midfielder. While the Dunmore man's contribution remains as telling as ever, some are unconvinced about his ability to dominate at midfield at the highest level.

The team show one other change from the side that overcame Armagh. Paul Clancy, who clipped the winning point in that match, returns to the team. He replaces Kiernan Comer, with Gary Fahy assuming the captaincy in Comer's absence.

Despite being in contention for a spot, All Star Derek Savage does not start.

Nicolas Murphy reforms his long-standing midfield partnership with Michael O Sullivan after being forced to cry off on the afternoon of last week's Munster final against Kerry.

The return of the Carrigaline man is a significant boost to Larry Tompkins, whose charges showed something of the form that brought them to the All-Ireland final two years ago.

Fachtna Collins, who deputised for the injured Murphy last week, returns to the bench.

Tompkins has shown faith with the front six, and much again will be expected of Colin Corkery.