Derry have omitted Ireland international Sean Martin Lockhart from the side to face Sligo in Sunday's resumption of the National Football League. This comes as a surprise given the exceptional form shown by the full back in last weekend's Railway Cup win by Ulster.
In an outstanding defence, Lockhart more than played his part and subdued Connacht's inform Galway full forward Padraig Joyce.
A combination of injury and Sigerson Cup commitments with UUJ have limited his appearances at Derry's training sessions, and the management decided it was fairer to give starts to those who had been fully involved in the preparations. It is expected he will play a role at some stage of the match against Sligo. There is some irony in the fact that Lockhart captains the Jordanstown college which is coached by Derry joint-manager Adrian McGuckin - but obviously there is no facility for transferring his academic credits.
Otherwise the side is predictable, with a number of the young players who made their debuts in the league before Christmas holding onto their places. Kieran McKeever is listed at wing back - he plays most of his club football in the half-backs - and the versatile Fergal McCusker is named at full forward.
A place on the bench is being kept vacant for Joe Brolly, who has not been considered for family reasons.
Kerry have their own full back surprise with the news that Barry O'Shea is named on the edge of the square despite having being left out of the training panel announced last month. Seamus Moynihan returns to action after missing Munster's heavy Railway Cup defeat by Connacht two weeks ago.
Roscommon make two changes to the side which beat Tyrone in Dungannon before Christmas. Clifford McDonald returns after club commitments kept him out during the Connacht club campaign, and former All Star nominee Eddie Lohan is also named. Mike Ryan, who played for Connacht last weekend is listed amongst the substitutes.
Tyrone make five changes to the team defeated by Roscommon. Sean McLaughlin returns to the defence following a two-year absence, while up front, Damien Gormley is back in favour for the first time in three years. Paul McGurk, Paul Devlin and Ciaran McBride are also named.
Meanwhile, Clare's county board met on Tuesday night and gave a resounding endorsement to the proposals of the Football Development Committee (FDC). The experimental provisions, which will be debated by Congress this April, have been getting a mixed reception so far.
But Clare, county of FDC chairman Noel Walsh, showed no equivocation and backed the plan by more than three-to-one.
Wexford's hurlers have a busy weekend ahead. On Saturday they play Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup final, and the day after face Tipperary in the South-East League final. Manager Joachim Kelly has named a stronger team for the latter engagement, with only Colm Kehoe of the 1996 All-Ireland winning side listed to start against Kilkenny.
For their part, the Leinster champions also name an experimental side. DJ Carey is excused because of handball commitments and fellow All Star Andy Comerford is injured.
