LAOIS FOOTBALL'S chief marksman Michael J Tierney has recovered from a hamstring tear to take his place at corner forward in Sunday's Leinster championship semi-final against Wexford in Croke Park.
The 21-year-old sustained the injury during the victory over Wicklow on May 31st and along with influential midfielder-cum-full forward Brendan Quigley was expected to miss out.
Quigley, however, will not feature after medical opinion insisted he take an eight-week rest after suffering a head wound when falling through a skylight at work last month.
"He will be back a couple of weeks before the Leinster final, if we get there," said Laois manager Liam Kearns. "At the end of the day, it's a game of football and the most important thing is Brendan's health. None of us will go against medical advice and hopefully if we reach the (provincial) final he will be there to assist us."
The only change from the side that started against Wicklow sees Emo's Paul Lawlor replace Colm Parkinson in a straight swap at left-corner forward.
Regular midfielder Padraic Clancy is expected to play some part in the game but it may be in the half-forward line as the rookie pairing of Kevin Meaney and John O'Loughlin are retained after solid performances in their championship debuts.
Kearns is aware of the threat posed by one of Gaelic football's most potent attackers but, equally, is aware of his team's need for drastic improvement.
"With Matty Forde you do your best. He's going to get some scores but we have to make sure he doesn't get too many.
"Against Wicklow, I was happy with our general play. We were good around the field but our finishing was deplorable. We had 15 wides, five shots went into the goalie's hands and we hit the post three times. Those are the stats of a team that generally loses and we can't shoot as badly again."
Wexford manager Jason Ryan has confirmed that forward Ciarán Deely is in his squad for Sunday's game. Deely's season has been wrecked by a groin injury but he has returned to full fitness and is pushing hard for a starting place.
Meanwhile, Sligo keep faith with the team that beat London for Sunday's Connacht football championship semi-final against Mayo in Castlebar.
Team captain Noel Maguire is listed among the substitutes and could make an appearance.
Derry manager Paddy Crozier said goalkeeper John Deighan will miss Saturday's Ulster football championship semi-final against Fermanagh in Omagh with an ankle injury. Barry Gillis returns. Crozier must also plan without the suspended veteran midfielder Fergal Doherty while Seán Marty Lockhart is nursing a quad strain.
Fermanagh are at full strength apart from long-term absentee Barry Owens. The All Star full back underwent minor heart surgery in January and only recently returned to training.
LAOIS (SF v Wexford):M Nolan; C Healy, M Timmons, J Higgins; T Kelly, D Rooney (capt), P McMahon; K Meaney, J O'Loughlin; R Munnelly, B McCormack, B Sheehan; MJ Tierney, C Kelly (St Josephs), P Lawlor.
SLIGO (SF v Mayo):P Greene; C Harrison, P Naughton, R Donovan; P McGovern, M McNamara, E McHugh; E O'Hara, C Quinn; B Curran, B Egan, J Davey; G Gaughan, M Breheny, D Kelly.
