Laois finally received some good news last night as Colm Byrne and Michael Lawlor both returned to the panel after walking out after defeat to Westmeath in the Leinster football final replay.
Byrne was disappointed with being dropped, and subsequently overlooked when his replacement, Joe Higgins, went off injured, while Lawlor was pulled ashore early in the first half. The players were allowed train last night in the Curragh after a brief meeting with manager Mick O'Dwyer.
O'Dwyer and his selectors will meet today to decide on Sunday's team to play Tyrone in Croke Park.
Darren Rooney's thumb is still in plaster, but Tom Kelly may play despite a broken finger, as he did last year against Offaly. However, medical advice is against either taking part.
Higgins (knee) and Chris Conway (appendicitis) are definitely out, while Donal Brennan is unlikely to be considered as he plays for the minors against Cork on Saturday.
The All-Ireland champions have problems of their own, with Colin Holmes definitely out with a stress fracture of the foot, while Colm McCullough and Gavin Devlin are still nursing shoulder injuries. Devlin would not be guaranteed his place regardless because of the form of Shane Sweeney at centre back.
Peter Canavan played the full 60 minutes of a league match for Errigal Chiaráin last Sunday and will be on the bench. Mickey Harte will name his side tonight.
Kilkenny and Clare have resisted naming their sides until the weekend. It's nothing new for Clare under Anthony Daly to hold off, but Brian Cody has resisted selecting because of a number of minor "bumps and bruises".
Clare's main concern is Brian Lohan, whose hamstring came through last Tuesday's session without any problems but he is still rated doubtful.
Elsewhere, Roscommon manager Tommy Carr will name a team tonight to face Dublin also on Sunday in Croke Park.
The GAA yesterday announced plans to present all the All-Ireland winning hurling captains with Waterford Crystal replicas of the Liam McCarthy Cup, which has been presented to the successful teams since 1921.
Waterford Crystal displayed the special pieces at their headquarters in the presence of some All-Ireland winning captains and the GAA president Seán Kelly.
The presentation of the McCarthy Cup replicas will take place in Ballygarvan, Cork, the birthplace of Liam McCarthy's father, on Saturday, August 21st.
The GAA have also announced that Croke Park is likely to have a full house for Sunday's football qualifiers.
A limited number of tickets will go on sale today at the ticket office in Croke Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
It has also been confirmed that tickets are required only for the New Stand in Thurles for Saturday's hurling replay between Clare and Kilkenny.
Admission to other areas of the ground is by cash at the stiles on the day.
