Roscommon have strengthened their forward lines ahead of Sunday's pivotal Division 1A clash against Kerry, with the experienced Francie Grehan and Fergal O'Donnell returning to first-team duty. An unprecedented travelling support is expected to accompany the on-song Connacht side as they attempt to wrestle outright control of the division from Paidi O Se's team.
Grehan was introduced as a substitute during Roscommon's comprehensive defeat of Dublin and retains his place, while O'Donnell has stepped in for Denis Gavin, who returns from work commitments abroad on Sunday morning.
"Denis could probably make the game in time, but given that he will have spent the early morning travelling, we decided not to risk him," said county PRO Dominic O Conghaile. Gavin does, however, feature on the subs' list. Their opponents also have six points from four games, but lie top of the division with a better scoring average.
Liam Hassett returns at full forward after the injury which sidelined him from Kerry's emphatic win over Armagh. Aodhan MacGearailt comes in at wing forward, while Enda Galvin reverts to corner back. Tom O'Sullivan has been forced to settle for a place on a very strong substitutes' bench, which includes Dara O Cinneide and Paul Galvin, the wing back who was hugely influential during UCC's triumphant Munster club campaign.
Finbarr McConnell resumes his role between the posts for Tyrone for their crucial match against Galway in Omagh after a protracted absence. It is the highly regarded Ulster goalkeeper's first start of the current campaign. Tyrone must win if they are to entertain any realistic hopes of qualifying for the play-offs. Management duo Art McRory and Eugene McKenna have made three changes to the team which fought back to secure a late draw against Donegal.
Seamus McCallan has been slotted in at left-half and promising newcomer Stephen O'Neill has been given an opportunity at wing forward.
Apart from the injection of new personnel, the management has also opted for wholesale positional changes. Colin Holmes drops back from midfield to resume his customary half-back role, while Cormac MacAnallen partners Pascal Canavan.
Eoin Gormley, who orchestrated Tyrone's late response against Donegal, has been switched to the wing forward position where he did most damage in that game, while Peter Canavan lines out at full forward.
Sean Martin Lockhart and Anthony Tohill return for Derry as they bid to preserve their long and impressive league history against All-Ireland champions Meath. Lockhart had previously been unavailable due to study commitments. Jonathan Niblock is once again named at wing forward. As anticipated, struggling Armagh will be forced to persevere without the services of their Crossmaglen contingent, who are preparing for the All-Ireland club final. However, both Kieran McGeeney and Des Mackin, who will also participate in that final for Dublin side Na Fianna, have been named in the side.
While Armagh are in serious need of points against a resurgent Cork team, the selectors have been forced to leave two vacancies in the forward lines. Ger Houlahan has been named at centre forward.
Armagh (v Cork): M Campbell; M McNeill, G Reid, J McNulty; J Byrne, A McCann, K Hughes; P McGrane, K McGeeney; AN Other, G Houlahan, S McDonnell; An Other, D Mackin, M Murray.
Derry (v Meath): E McCloskey; D O'Neill, SM Lockhart; G Coleman, K McKeever, H Downey, P McFlynn; A Tohill, D Heaney; D Doyle, J Niblock, R Rocks; P Bradley, J Cassidy, J McBride.
Kerry (v Roscommon): D O'Keeffe; M McCarthy, B O'Shea, E Galvin; S Moynihan, E Fitzmaurice, M Hassett; D O Se, D Daly; A MacGearailt, N Keannelly, D Dwyer; MF Russell, L Hassett, J Crowley.
Roscommon: D Thompson; E Gavin, J Whyte, R Owens; B Mannion, B Bourke, C McDonald; J Gilhooly, D Casserly; D Duggan, F Grehan, S Casey; F O'Donnell, S Lohan, F Dolan.
Tyrone (v Galway): F McConnell; C Gourley, C Lawn, P McGurk; C Holmes, S McCallon, S McLoughlin; P Canavan, C MacAnallen; B Dooher, E Gormley, S O'Neill; D Gormley, P Canavan, C McBride.
Wicklow (v Louth): T Murphy; S Nolan, B o'Donovan, T Burke; B O hAnnaidh, M Coffey, R Doyle; S O'Neill, B Sheehan; K Byrne, D McGillacuddy, T Doyle; T Gill, R Coffey, K O'Brien.
Monaghan (v Waterford): D McCarville; G McQuaid, D Duffy, N Marron; M Slowey, D Clerkin, D McArdle; C McCaul, R Treacy; D Freeman, P O'Connor, T Freeman; D Smyth, G Flanagan, C Tavey.
Sligo (v Mayo): P Walsh; AN Other, N Clancy, B Phillips; R Keane, M Cosgrove, D Durkin; E O'Hara, P Durcan; S Davey, P Taylor, D Sloyane; T Brennan, K Killeen, G McGowan.
Tipperary (v Longford): C Maloney; N Kelly, C O'Dwyer, L Cronin; D Gleeson, D Peters, S Maher; L England, F O'Callaghan; PJ Lanigan, M Sheehan, N Fitzgerald; P Lambert, T Moylan, J Carroll.
