Like Kildare's senior team, Leitrim's minors last qualified for an All-Ireland minor football semi-final 42 years ago, in 1956. But if they are something of an unknown quantity, this year's Connacht champions have qualified for Sunday's game against Tyrone the hard way.

Leitrim recovered from an eight-point deficit in the second half against Galway in Tuam, and also came from behind against Sligo in the provincial final.

For Sunday's game, Leitrim's utility player, Morgan Shanley, who started at wing back against Galway, is recalled, but this time at right corner forward. Defence is the team's strongest sector. The inspirational performances by full back John McKeon and centre back Phillip Casserly have been defining features of determined team efforts so far. Goalkeeper Enda Lyons and full forward Terry Kelleher have played with the county's under21s.

If Leitrim's incentive is to go one step further than 42 years ago when they were beaten in the final by Dublin, Tyrone have their own targets. Last year their highly-fancied team were beaten in the final by Laois, and with five of last year's panel still involved they are intent on reaching the final again and winning it.

Ryan Mellon replaces Ryan O'Neill in the left corner of attack. Tyrone opt for experience in midfield, with two of the members of last year's team, Ciaran McAnallen and Kevin Hughes. Inventive forwards Steve O'Neill and Enda McGinley can enhance Tyrone's tally to a winning one up front.

The Kilkenny County Board has postponed all its senior and intermediate hurling championship matches until after the All-Ireland final, writes Sean Kilfeather.

As many as half a dozen players in the squad are injured. The senior club championship will now start on September 20th.

County Board secretary, Pat Fitzgerald, has described as a "storm in a teacup" the controversy over the numbering of Clare's team for tomorrow's semi-final replay against Offaly. The team faxed to the programme printers didn't contain a nunber eight, with Richard Woods, named to partner Ollie Baker at midfield, given the number 17 jersey.

Fitzgerald said that when this was decided, as an apparent mark of solidarity with the suspended Colin Lynch, the discussion at Saturday's meeting of the Central Council was not known to the team management. The Central Council directive said: "In intercounty championship and National League matches players shall be appropriately numbered from one to 21. Penalty £250."