Kildare manager Mick O'Dwyer has left the corner-forward position usually occupied by Martin Lynch vacant in the hope that the influential attacker will recover from a collarbone injury in time to take his place in the side for Sunday's Leinster final.
Lynch, one of the team's most experienced and dominant players, has struggled since his injury forced him to withdraw from Kildare's Leinster semi-final against Laois. He failed to return after half-time in that match and was replaced by Padraig Brennan, who hit two points in the second half.
He will go through a fitness test on Saturday morning. Lynch has been hampered by deep bruising around the shoulder area since shipping the blow in the Laois game. Kildare selectors feel he has a 50 per cent chance of making the team, while the player himself is extremely keen to prove his fitness.
If Lynch fails Saturday's test, Brian Murphy will line out in the attack. Murphy, originally from Cork, played in all three Championship games against Meath last summer and was sent off in the third game. The Kildare selectors believe he has enough experience to deputise for Lynch.
The team is otherwise unchanged. There is no place on the starting line-up for Cathal Sheridan, who came in for centre half-forward Declan Kerrigan during that Laois match. Their opponents, Meath, have made two enforced changes to the team which defeated Louth. Hank Traynor comes in at wing back for Paddy Reynolds, who was ruled out with a dead leg despite receiving intensive treatment. Wing-forward Jimmy McGuinness has been replaced by Sydden player Stephen Dillon, who made a memorable debut against Offaly in this year's Championship by hitting a crucial goal.
McGuinness and Reynolds were given fitness tests before team selection last night but failed to come through. The news did not surprise Meath boss Sean Boylan, who had planned on using Simonstown Gaels' player Traynor and Dillon. Traynor impressed after making his debut as a substitute against Louth. Traynor and Dillon, both aged 22, have displayed consistently good form for their clubs.
Tipperary manager Colm Browne may be forced to prepare for Sunday's Munster final against All-Ireland champions Kerry without his first-choice goalkeeper. The long-serving Philly Ryan has been slow to recover from a leg injury he picked up in a challenge match against Meath in Semple Stadium two weeks ago. Tipperary have left the No. 1 spot vacant in the hope that he will pass a fitness test later this week. If he fails, his place will go to Seamus Delahunty. The Tipperary selectors are still hopeful that Ryan will respond to treatment.
That vacancy is the only change to the side which defeated Clare in the Munster semi-final.
William Kirby remains Kerry's only injury concern. The Tralee man damaged his knee-cap during a training session in June and has been out of action since, although he did return to League duty for his club, Austin Stacks, last weekend.
Billy O'Shea, who broke his leg after clashing with team-mate Maurice Fitzgerald during last year's All-Ireland final triumph over Mayo, also made a comeback. He played his first match since that final when he lined out with Laune Rangers for a League encounter at the weekend. He returned to the Kerry panel this week after an absence of 10 months and is expected to challenge again for his place should Kerry advance.
Kerry are expected to name their side for the Munster final today.
Roscommon, as expected, named an unchanged side for the Connacht senior football final replay against Galway. However, midfielder Jason Neery, sent off in the drawn game, has been replaced in the panel by Kilbride teenager Gerry Lohan. Neery was sent in as a substitute in the second half of the drawn game but returned to the line within a minute after catching Galway's Jarlath Fallon with an elbow. Lohan (18) is regarded as a hot prospect in Roscommon. He is a brother of halfback Eddie.
Galway are to select a team tonight after training. A number of their players have been curtailed by niggling injuries sustained in the drawn game. Richie Fahy is nursing a delicate shoulder while Declan Meehan and Tommy Joyce are carrying leg injuries. There is also slight concern over Fallon after the knock to the face, but he is likely to play.
Roscommon (SF v Galway): D Thompson; D Gavin, D Donlon, E Gavin; C Heneghan, C McDonald, M Ryan; G Keane, T Ryan; D Connellan, F O'Donnell, E Lohan; T Grehan, N Dineen, L O'Dowd.
Meath (SF v Kildare): C Martin; M O'Reilly, D Fay, D Curtis; E McManus, B Callaghan, H Traynor; N Nestor, J McDermott; T Giles, G Geraghty, S Dillon; R Magee, B Reilly, T Dowd.
Kildare (SF v Meath): C Byrne; B Lacey, R Quinn, S Dowling; J Finn, G Ryan, A Rainbow; N Buckley, W McCreary; E McCormack, D Kerrigan, D Earley; A N Other, K O'Dwyer, P Gravin.
Tipperary (SF v Kerry): A N Other; N Kelly, C O'Dwyer, L Cronin; B Hahessy, M Sheehan, S Collum; D Foley, S Maher; M Spillane, D Burke, B Cummins; P Lambert, D Hogan, D Browne. Subs. S Delahunty, F Clifford, T Anglim, C McGrath, J Williams, C O'Shea, P Gleeson, G Butler, M Leonard, J Costello, P Ryan.
