Mayo without McDonald

Mayo will seek their first National Football League title in 31 years without the services of the inspirational Crossmolina forward Kieran McDonald.

Although manager Pat Holmes has yet to declare his final line-up for Sunday's meeting with Galway, he did confirm yesterday that McDonald would not be returning to the county panel at this stage.

"He hasn't been part of league up to now and he won't be considered for the team for Sunday," said Holmes. "But, of course, he is a great talent and he is very much part of the plan for championship this summer."

It will be later today before the Mayo team is confirmed, but Holmes has a worry over 'flu victims Stephen Carolan and Ronan Loftus, who started last weekend but were forced to retire before the end. Midfielder Colm McManaman was sent off against Roscommon but is eligible.

Galway manager John O'Mahony will name his team after training this evening for what is the first all-Connacht final in 20 years. His injury worries are far more extensive, and include captain Padraig Joyce and the pivotal forward Michael Donnellan.

Joyce suffered the recurrence of a knee injury while playing for his club Killererin against Corofin last Sunday, a game that also produced shoulder injuries for corner back Michael Comer.

Donnellan picked up a knee injury at training on Tuesday and he joins centre back John Divilly (shoulder) and midfielder Joe Bergin (groin). Gary Fahy is doubtful with the 'flu.

Cork have replaced the injured Sean O hAilpin for Sunday's Division Two final against Westmeath with under-21 star Graham Canty. Ciaran O'Sullivan also returns in place of Fionan Murray at centre half-forward.

Westmeath manager Luke Dempsey has kept faith with the same players that defeated Down in their semi-final.

In hurling, Clare announced a full strength team for their league semi-final meeting with Kilkenny on Sunday. Ollie Baker returns from a back injury to partner Colin Lynch at midfield.

Baker's return means that Gearoid Considine is switched to wing forward, moving Alan Markham over to the opposite side. Tony Carmody is the player that loses out as a result.

Opponents Kilkenny will reveal their team today, and on the doubtful list there are Canice Brennan and Denis Byrne with leg injuries. Definitely out are Brian McEvoy and Henry Shefflin with shoulder injuries.

Tipperary have also delayed naming their team for Saturday's first semi-final against Galway.

CLARE (SH v Kilkenny): D Fitzgerald; C Forde, B Lohan, F Lohan; L Doyle, J Reddan, G Quinn; O Baker, C Lynch; G Considine J O'Connor, A Markham; B Murphy, N Gilligan, D Forde.

GALWAY (SH v Tipperary): L O'Donoghue; F Gantley, M Healy, O Canning; D Hardiman, L Hodgins, C Moore; P Walsh, D Tierney; O Fahy, L Burke, A Kerins; K Borderick, M Kerins, F Healy.

WESTMEATH (SF v Cork): C Mullin; D Murphy, D Mitchell, F Murray; D Gavin, D Healy, J Keane; D O'Shaughnessy, P Conway; B Morley, F Wilson, M Ennis; J Fallon, D Dolan, G Heavin.

CORK (SF v Westmeath): K O'Dwyer; J Miskella, G Canty, A Lynch; M Donovan, O Sexton, Martin Cronin; N Murphy, M O'Sullivan; Micheal Cronin, C O'Sullivan, A Cronin; P Clifford, C Corkery, A Dorgan.