As was the case with the hurling final a fortnight ago, All-Ireland football finalists Meath and Cork have named unchanged teams. This was more surprising in the case of Cork who had been thought the more likely to make changes.

In the end, however, Larry Tompkins and his selectors have stuck with the side which defeated Mayo in last month's semi-final. Some speculation had surrounded the position of Sean Og O hAilpin, a medallist with the hurlers last Sunday week, who has endured some anxious moments at full back.

The obvious switch would have brought Ronan McCarthy to full back and Micheal O'Donovan in at corner back. In leaving well alone, Cork give a vote of confidence to a defensive unit which has played very well this season. It gives O hAilpin the chance to emulate Teddy McCarthy, to date the only man to win hurling and football All-Irelands in the same year.

Right wing forward was the other position which was felt to be in line for a possible change. Again the selection remains the same with Micheal Cronin holding on to the number 10 jersey. The selectors are believed to feel that Cronin didn't see enough ball in the first half to be judged on that performance and that his recent display for UCC in the county championship was impressive.

Aidan Dorgan, who had been thought a candidate for the wing forward position before a weekend setback to his recovery from injury, is named on the bench in place of Alan O'Regan who was injured in a car accident last month.

Meath's decision to name the same 15 who were announced for the semi-final against Armagh was expected once Ollie Murphy had proved his fitness. The loss of the corner forward and leading scorer after 22 minutes was a severe setback to the team and his return will come as a great relief, particularly with uncertainty surrounding the availability Tommy Dowd.

Dowd, the All-Ireland winning captain of three years ago, is named on the bench and may well make an appearance at some stage but the sense in the county is that everyone will be happy if the Dunderry man doesn't have to appear.

A back injury has kept him out of inter-county activity since the Leinster semi-final against Offaly on July 4th. In the last week, he has played two club matches - the first a deliberately understated challenge - and concern persists that Dowd hasn't had enough match practice.

Although the team is unchanged from the semi-final, the starting lineup that day was considerably different with the wing backs swapping position, in attack Evan Kelly moving to the right wing, Nestor to the left, Curtis to the left corner and Ollie Murphy to his accustomed position in the right corner.

Meanwhile, Down have made one change in personnel on their team to face Mayo in Sunday's All-Ireland minor football final. Colm Murtagh comes back from a month's suspension and is placed at left half back.

Down (MF v Mayo): J Sloan; J Clarke, B Grant, M Doran; B Kearney, L Doyle (capt), C Murtagh; L Sloan, B Coulter; P McCrady, M Walsh, R Murtagh; P J McAlinden, J Fagan, R Sexton.