Gilroy sticks with winning formula

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy has made one enforced change to his side ahead of the Leinster football final against Kildare at Croke…

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy has made one enforced change to his side ahead of the Leinster football final against Kildare at Croke Park on Sunday.

Rory O’Carroll’s decision to leave the panel to travel has left he door open for St Brigid’s clubman Paddy Andrews to come in at corner back.

Otherwise, Gilroy has resisted altering the side that demolished Westmeath in the semi-final.

James Brogan (ankle), Kevin Nolan (hip), Marl Davoren (knee) and Eamon Fennell (broken toe) are all long-term absentees.

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Beaten semi-finalists Laois have made five changes ahead of their qualifier against Down on Saturday night.

Clearly unhappy by his side’s capitulation against Kildare, manager Seán Dempsey has dropped captain Brian McCormack, Darren Rooney, Ger Reddin, Billy Sheehan and Donie Kingston.

Niall Donoher and Craig Rogers will start in the championship for the first time, in defence and attack respectively, while there will be a debut for Colm Coss at full forward.

Aidan Fennelly will has been drafted into the half-back line alongside Donoher, while Peter O’Leary starts at corner forward.

Ross Munnelly moves to left-half forward.

Dublin (SF v Kildare):S Cluxton; D Henry, D Bastick, P Andrews; P Griffin, G Brennan, B Cahill; R McConnell, D Magee; P Flynn, A Brogan, D Connolly; C Keaney, B Brogan, J Sherlock.

Laois (SFC v Down):M Nolan; C Ryan, M Timmons, R Stapleton; A Fennelly, J O'Loughlin, N Donoher; P Clancy, K Meaney; B Quigley, C Rogers, R Munnelly; MJ Tierney, C Coss, P O'Leary