All-Ireland champions Galway have left two vacancies on the team to face Armagh in Tuam on Sunday. Goalkeeper Martin McNamara has a back strain and has yet to prove his fitness. If he is unable to line out, Pat Comer will deputise.

The other vacancy is at centrefield where Kevin Walsh's thumb injury casts doubt on his participation. Fergal Gavin stands by to partner Sean O Domhnaill. Changes from the previous match against Donegal see Robin Doyle come in for Brian Silke and Ray Silke take over from the injured Damien Mitchell who he replaced at centre back two weeks ago.

Whereas the attack is strong with only one change from the All-Ireland winning side, the defence shows three changes because of injuries to corner back Tomas Meehan, centre back John Divilly and Tomas Mannion's decision to take the winter off.

Mayo manager John Maughan has responded to the call of county champions Ballina Stephenites' manager Noel O'Dowd for his players to be spared inter-county activity by including David Brady at centrefield but leaving Liam McHale and Ger Brady on the bench.

Otherwise the team to play All-Ireland finalists Kildare shows four changes. Peter Burke has returned from the US and takes up goalkeeping duties for the first time since last summer's championship. Fergal Costello has recovered from the hip injury which kept him out of the drawn league fixture against Laois and comes in for Ballina's Ger Brady.

Ger Brady of Claremorris, a minor star last year who came on as a substitute in Laois a fortnight ago, is named at centre forward with Damien Quinn dropping out and Pat Fallon has recovered from injury to take his place at centrefield with Brian Maloney losing out in the reshuffle which sees James Nallen switch to the wing.

Kildare, meanwhile, make just the one change to the team which secured a draw in Derry last time out. Padraig Gravin returns to the team in place of Noel Donlon. Cathal Sheridan, the former Meath All-Ireland minor medallist, continues in the left corner.

Mattie McGleenan has been drafted into the Tyrone attack for his first start of the season for Tyrone's Division One A clash with Leitrim at Carrick-on-Shannon. McGleenan plays at left corner forward in place of teenager Richard Thornton, who has tonsillitis.

The only other change is also enforced. Goalkeeper Finbar McConnell has failed to recover from a knee injury sustained against Offaly, and is replaced by Stephen McCarron.