BARNEY ROCK, now in his second championship season as manager to underdogs Westmeath, welcomes the fact that three of the leading teams will be knocked out in the first round of this year's championship.
Meath, the AllIreland champions, or Dublin, Mayo or Galway and Tyrone or Down will go out, but Rock said: "This is what makes a championship interesting. It's a lot better than taking all the teams out and matching them up. The open draw can raise hopes for all contenders. It adds to the mystique of the whole thing."
The football championship starts next Sunday with two preliminary round games in Leinster and one in Munster. Westmeath play Wexford at Wexford Park, Offaly take on Longford in Tullamore, while Limerick play Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds.
Rock's side, to be named tonight, will include a number of the county's historic All Ireland minor championship side of 1995.
Rock, a former Dublin hero, is now something of a champion of the cause of the underdog, a role he enjoys after a distinguished playing career in Dublin's best teams of the 1980s.
He is a little concerned about Sunday's match because of injuries to a number of key players. Placekicking options will be restricted through the absence of Ciaran Ryan (Achilles tendon) Neil Dolan (ligaments), Eddie Casey, who sustained a broken nose and cheekbone in a recent hurling match, and Rory O'Connell who is exam tied.
Tom Cleary, a member of the successful minor team, will take most of the frees within range of the Wexford posts. The Wexford team is expected to be released today.
Offaly manager Tommy Lyons has named his side and it includes three newcomers to senior championship football. All three, full back Larry Carroll, left half forward Anthony Kelly and full forward Roy Malone, were prominent in the county's good league run.
Longford will be without two regular corner forwards in Ciaran Fox (eye injury) and Phil O'Hara (broken leg).
Former Galway player John Conneely makes his debut for Limerick next Sunday against Tipperary. He lines out at left corner forward on a team which sees the return of Donal Fitzgibbon to midfield.
Down forward Peter Withnell is almost certain to be given a new role this year in Down's championship bid. Manager Pete McGrath was impressed by Withnell's performance at mid field against Dublin in a challenge game at Ringsend on Sunday.
Peter plays midfield for his club but never before for the county. It is potentially a position for him in Sunday week's match with Tyrone," said McGrath.
Meath will be trying for their second All Ireland under 21 football title when they play Derry in Sunday's final in Clones.
Meath have doubts about the fitness of Mark O'Reilly and Ned Kearney, who have shoulder injuries. Trevor Giles, now over the age limit, will be a huge loss but senior players Darren Fay, Paddy Reynolds and Barry Callaghan have great experience to offer.
The team will be announced after training tomorrow while Derry will probably announce their side today.
Meanwhile, in the National Hurling League, joint Division One table toppers Limerick may have to line out without Ciaran Carey for Sunday's crunch encounter with Galway.
Carey sustained a damaged ankle in the last outing against Laois, which forced him to retire, and he aggravated the injury while playing for his club Patrickswell at the weekend, when he again had to leave the field.
The injured Joe Quaid's understudy goalkeeper Albert Shanahan is almost certain to be named in the side. Manager Tom Ryan is likely to announce his team today.
Offaly fans will welcome the news that Billy and Joe Dooley and John Troy emerged from club championship ties showing no ill effects of injuries at the weekend. Offaly take on Laois on Sunday.
But the news is not so good for Kilkenny manager Nick Brennan ahead of the meeting with All Ireland champions Wexford. Brennan will definitely have to plan without the suspended John Power, who was sent to the line while assisting his club St Lockes against St Lachtans at the weekend. In addition Michael Phelan and Sean Meally are carrying injuries.
The league clash against Wexford has been brought forward to Saturday in New Ross because of Wexford footballers' championship match against Westmeath on Sunday.
