THE most attractive list of matches of the football season so far is set up for Sunday when the four National League quarter-finals are down for decision at three venues.
The double bill at Croke Park is certainly the high spot of the day's activities, with Kerry meeting Down and Derry facing Laois. Elsewhere, Kildare take on Offaly in Navan and Cork meet Louth in Portlaoise.
The Cork selectors have left the right corner-back position vacant pending a report on the incumbent, Brian Murphy, who has a serious hand injury and is unlikely to play. In the event of Murphy being ruled out, a defence reshuffle will take place.
Into the side comes Stephen O'Brien at centre forward for his first match in the National League. Brian Corcoran moves to the left wing forward position, while Pat Hegarty, Seamus Collins and Terry Dillon are on stand-by.
The vastly experienced Niall Cahalane will figure at centre half back and Ronohan and Damien O'Neill are partners at midfield.
Louth expect to be able to pick from a full squad. The only doubt is about Ollie McDonnell, their versatile forward who has been having treatment for a thigh injury but who is expected to take his place in the attack.
The times of the four matches have been staggered, with the Kerry-Down match starting off the proceedings at 2.15 pm.; the Cork-Louth match starting at 3.00 p.m.; the Kildare-Offaly clash starts at 3.15 pm.; and the Derry-Laois tie at 3.45 p.m.
As well as the four quarter-finals, the relegation play-off between Cavan and Tyrone will be covered by RTE. Extra time will be played wherever necessary.
The Kerry selection is likely to be made known today but events at the Munster under-21 match between Kerry and Clare in Ennis tonight may have a bearing on the line-up. Four of the under-21 side are in the senior panel and Paidi O Se and his selectors will be hoping that they come through tonight's match unscathed.
The four are full back Barry O'Shea, midfielder Denis O'Dwyer, James O'Shea, the full forward, and Mike Frank Russell from Laune Rangers.
Down have confirmed that three of their best-known players, All-Ireland medal winners in 1991, will be available for selection. The Down team will be known later today. Greg Blaney, James McCartan and Peter Withnell have all indicated their availability. McCartan and Withnell have been playing soccer with Glenavon in the Irish League and Dundalk in the national League respectively but have promised that, once the soccer season is over, they will devote their attention to Gaelic football.
McCartan has promised Peter McGrath that in the event of a clash of fixtures he will not play soccer on Saturday and that he will be available for all of Down's training sessions.
It is now a possibility that one or more of the trio will start the match on Sunday. In fact, all three may start.
The Derry selectors will not announce their team to play Laois until later in the week. They have several injury worries and must also contend with a full list of Premier League club matches this week.
Among those on the injury list earlier were Seamus Downey, Anthony Tohill and Gary McGill. For a recent McKenna Cup match they found that they had only 17 of the senior squad available and had to raid the under-21 squad.
Offaly have made three changes to the team which beat a weakened Kildare side by 12 points in the O'Byrne Cup semi-final. Back into the side comes Sean Grennan, who will play at centre half forward for Mark Daly, and Vincent Claffey plays at right corner-forward instead of Jody Kennedy.
Offaly have no illusions about their prospects about repeating their O'Byrne Cup win over Kildare. Although they have had a good run in Division Four they realise that they have a lot to do against a Division One side which will be greatly strengthened.
Worries about the fitness of players like Martin Lynch and Glen Ryan have lessened in recent days and Mick O'Dwyer and Pat McCarthy, are confident that they can field a full-strength team.
