Joyce to captain Galway

Padraig Joyce has been appointed football captain for Galway's championship campaign this summer, taking over from last year's All-Ireland winning captain Gary Fahey.

Joyce, who had been captain in 2000, when they lost out to Kerry in the All-Ireland final, was nominated by current Galway county champions Annaghdown, who don't have a representative in the regular starting 15 of the current panel.

Joyce's club, Killererin, was on the losing side of that final, but the talented forward was also the obvious candidate for captaincy because of his consistency and inspiration within the Galway team.

Meanwhile, neither Cork nor Kilkenny are expected to make any team changes ahead of Sunday's hurling league final in Thurles. Cork's main injury concern remains forward Joe Deane, who missed the semi-final win over Tipperary, while Timmy McCarthy is likely to be passed fit.

Both sides are due to name their team this evening, and Kilkenny report no major injuries. Brian McEvoy returns from a 12-week suspension, and though he was training with the panel within that time he is more likely to be named among the substitutes.

The Sligo football squad have been boosted by the return of forward Paul Taylor to fitness ahead of their departure on Thursday for New York for Sunday's first round of the Connacht championship.