McGrath misses Armagh clash

Fermanagh take on Armagh in Clones on Sunday without Martin McGrath as he has failed to recover sufficiently from a viral infection. The current All-Star midfielder spent five days in hospital last week and has not trained since.

McGrath, an asthmatic, unknowingly played the Division Two league semi-final against Meath on April 24th with the virus and after a low-key display was replaced by Mark Murphy on 43 minutes. However, James Sherry gets the nod to partner Liam McBarron in a repeat of the 2004 All-Ireland quarter-final, when Fermanagh prevailed thanks to a late Tom Brewster point.

Manager Charlie Mulgrew has left out the three high-profile players who returned to the panel this season. Rory Gallagher's omission is a particular surprise as he was a key component in Fermanagh's promotion drive back to Division One from centre forward but that position goes to Brewster.

Raymie Gallagher and Ryan Keenan have been unable to nail down starting roles and are named as replacements. Significantly, both made scoring contributions off the bench against Meath.

All three return after self- imposed periods in the inter-county wilderness, although it was widely suggested that the Dublin-based Gallagher cousins were keen to line out for the capital's football team until previous Dublin manager Tommy Lyons poured cold water on the idea.

Aidan Little, older brother of wing forward Mark, makes his championship debut at corner forward.

Fermanagh's other 2004 All-Star, fullback Barry Owens, has recovered from a shoulder/lower neck knock sustained against Meath and is named on the edge of the square, where he will be charged with marshalling either Ronan Clarke or the in-form Steven McDonnell.

Down hurling manager John Crossey has no major injury concerns ahead of the Ulster championship match against London this weekend. Paul Braniff makes a return to championship action after overcoming a cruciate ligament injury.

Tickets for Sunday's Leinster championship double-header at Croke Park are currently available through the Leinster Council offices, from competing counties, the GAA website and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

FERMANAGH (SF v Meath): N Tinney; S Goan, B Owens, R McCluskey; R Johnson, S McDermott, D O'Reilly; L McBarron, J Sherry; E Maguire, T Brewster, M Little; A Little, S Maguire, C Bradley.

DOWN (SH v London): G Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, P Hughes; G Clarke, G Savage, S Wilson; A Savage, P Monan; E Clarke, P Braniff, B McGourty; M Coulter, G Johnson, S Clarke.