MEATH have named an unchanged team for this Sunday's reprise of last August's All-Ireland semi-final. The side, under-strength from the eight All-Ireland final suspensions, that recorded a surprising victory over Kerry in the National Football League last Sunday week is retained.
This means that Martin O'Connell will line out at left corner back despite reports yesterday that he had requested to be excused the trip to Omagh.
County PRO Brendan Commins denied the report. "There's absolutely no truth in that at all. None whatsoever."
O'Connell was involved in a controversial incident in the All-Ireland semi-final when he was captured on video stepping on the head of Tyrone wing forward Brian Dooher who as a result needed stitches.
The Meath corner back afterwards protested that the contact had been accidental. The Games Administration Committee of the GAA considered the matter, but decided to take no action. Any decision by O'Connell to absent himself from Sunday's match would have been perceived as indicating self-consciousness about the August incident.
Tyrone have delayed announcing a team until today. They will be almost as weakened as Meath. Goalkeeper Finbarr McConnell is suspended while Peter Canavan hasn't recovered from an injury he sustained in the championship meeting with Meath three months ago.
Also definitely out are Brian Dooher, Jody Gormley, Fay Devlin and Seamus McCallan. In addition, Brian Gormley and Pascal Canavan are doubtful. Manager Danny Ball, who has called for no talk of retribution, is anxious to forget about the fraught championship meeting.
Cork have made one change for their top-of-the-table clash with Kildare at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday. Ollie O'Sullivan comes in for Michael O'Donovan at left wing back. It will be a first senior start for O'Sullivan who won a Junior All-Ireland medal with the county this year.
A feisty defender, he was also a member of the Garda College team which reached the semifinals of the Sigerson Cup both this year and last year.
Dublin have a number of availability problems ahead of the weekend's Division Two match against Clare at Parnell Park.
Midfielder Paul Bealin has not recovered from a knee injury against Mayo and forward Martin Doran who came on in the same match, shipped a knock in a club match at the weekend.
In addition, Eamonn Heery - sent off in Castlebar - is suspended, as is Ian Robertson who was given the line last weekend in a 4ub match. Mickey Whelan postpones selection until tomorrow.
Meanwhile the proposed schedule of matches for live broadcast next summer, presented to RTE by the GAA's provincial councils, may be amended to allow a rescheduling of the Ulster draw.
In the original draw for the provincial championships, not obviously attractive matches were fixed for June 1st. It is now believed that the Fermanagh-Cavan Ulster first round may be swapped with Derry-Monaghan, scheduled for a week later.
