GAELIC GAMES: Dublin corner back Stephen O'Shaughnessy has recovered from the shoulder injury sustained against Wexford four weeks ago and will start his first Leinster final on Sunday against Laois in Croke Park.
O'Shaughnessy did enough at last night's training session to warrant inclusion in a Dublin side that shows one change from the Leinster semi-final.
Missing out is Mark Vaughan as he vacates the corner forward slot for Jason Sherlock in a role reversal of the selection ahead of the four-point victory over Wexford on June 19th. Sherlock's second-half goal completed a Dublin revival that day.
O'Shaughnessy has been an important part of the Dublin defence this year and his absence would have forced Paul Caffrey into rejigging two, possibly three, of his lines.
The midfield also remains intact despite the return of Darren Magee to the panel. If Laois' Noel Garvan and Padraig Clancy gain parity in the middle third on Sunday, the Kilmacud Crokes man will become an option.
Dessie Farrell and David Henry also rejoined the panel recently after suffering career-threatening injuries last season. Neither are fit enough to play 70 minutes but both offer valuable options on the bench.
Laois also revealed their hand last night with Mick O'Dwyer opting to stick with the same 15 that produced the most definitive performance of the summer thus far, against Kildare, also on June 19th in Croke Park. O'Dwyer has been able to select his strongest team with Brian "Beano" McDonald retained at corner forward despite looking a few yards short of his best against Kildare.
Word from Laois suggests McDonald is returning to peak fitness after suffering a horrendous leg break in the All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Tyrone last year.
By selecting Barry Brennan and Billy Sheehan in the half-forward line, Laois have gone a long way to dispelling their reputation for lightweight forwards. The pair posted six points in the semi-final, to add Ross Munnelly's 0-7, ensuring this will be a key area again on Sunday.
Shane Cooke, who was sent off against Kildare and duly suspended for four weeks, is hoping the GAC will hear his appeal against the minimum one-match ban tonight.
All-Ireland and world handball champion Paul Brady will not be appealing his 12-week suspension after a meeting of the Croke Park management committee decided to allow the player to play handball.
DUBLIN (SFC v Laois): S Cluxton; P Griffin, P Christie, S O'Shaughnessy; P Casey, B Cahill, C Goggins; C Whelan, S Ryan; C Moran, A Brogan, B Cullen; J Sherlock, C Keaney, T Quinn. Subs: B Murphy, P Andrews, D Homan, S Connell, D O'Callaghan, M Vaughan, L Og O hEineachain, D Lally, R Cosgrove, N Cooper, D Henry, D Farrell, D McCann, D Bastick, D Magee.
LAOIS (SFC v Dublin): F Byron; A Fennelly, D Rooney, J Higgins; C Begley, T Kelly, P McMahon; P Clancy, N Garvan; R Munnelly, B Brennan, B Sheehan; C Conway, K Fitzpatrick, B McDonald.
(All 3.30 unless stated)
TODAY
Munster under-21 hurling championship semi-finals: Limerick v Tipperary, Gaelic Grounds, 7.30. Cork v Clare, Semple Stadium, 7.30.
Leinster intermediate hurling championship final: Kilkenny v Wexford, Kilkenny, 7.30.
SATURDAY
All-Ireland SF Championship qualifier Round three (extra-time if necessary): Louth v Monaghan, Kingspan Breffni Park, 7.0, M Duffy (Sligo).
Tommy Murphy Cup round one (extra-time if necessary): Tipperary v Leitrim, Thurles, 5.0, F Barrett (Kildare). London v Kilkenny, Páirc Tailteann 5.0, M Sludden (Tyrone). Longford v Wicklow, Ballymahon, 5.0, S Doyle (Wexford). Fermanagh v Carlow, Enniskillen, 6.0, V Neary (Mayo).
Nicky Rackard Cup, Group C quarter-final play-off (extra time if necessary): Longford v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni Park, 5.15, T Mahon (Fermanagh).
All-Ireland masters football semi-final: London v Meath, Pairc Tailteann, P Mullan (Antrim).
All-Ireland minor B hurling semi-finals: Roscommon v Wicklow, Portlaoise, 1.30, J Owens (Wexford). Carlow v Westmeath, Portlaoise 3.15, A Stapleton (Laois).
Christy Ring Cup Round five - Group 2A: Down v Westmeath, Newry, 5.0, P Greene (Galway). Roscommon v Meath, Athleague, 5.0, A Heagney (Clare). Derry - Bye. Group 2B: Kerry v Carlow, Tralee, J O'Mahony (Limerick). Wicklow v Mayo, Arklow, F Smith (Meath). Kildare - Bye
Ladies Football: Ulster Junior Championship semi-finals Armagh v Cavan, Mullaghbawn, 7.0. Connacht Junior Championship, Sligo v London, Tubbercurry, 6.0. Galway v Roscommon, TBA.
Camogie: Foras na Gaeilge Championship: Wexford v Cork, Wexford Park, 2.0. Kilkenny v Tipperary, Nowlan Park, 3.0. All-Ireland minor 'A' championship semi-final: Kilkenny v Galway, Nowlan Park, 1.30
SUNDAY
Leinster SF Championship Final: Dublin v Laois, Croke Park, 3.45, J McQuillan (Cavan) Leinster MF final: Laois v Offaly, Croke Park, 1.45, C Reilly (Meath)
All-Ireland SF Championship qualifiers Round three (extra-time if necessary): Meath v Cavan, Clones, 1.45, G Ó Conámha (Galway). Sligo v Clare, Castlebar 2.0, M Deegan (Laois). Derry v Limerick, Castlebar 3.45, J Bannon (Longford).
Ladies Football: Ulster Senior Championship: Donegal v Tyrone, Irvinestown, 2.0. Connacht Senior Championship: Galway v Roscommon, Tuam Stadium, 2.0. Ulster Junior Championship semi-finals: Fermanagh v Derry, Irvinestown, 2.0. Connacht Junior Championship: Mayo v London, TBA.
