Roscommon manager Evans goes with experience for Leitrim opener

Roscommon manager John Evans has opted against starting any players from the under-21 side that lost the All-Ireland final to Dublin for Sunday's Connacht championship opener against Leitrim.

Despite the comprehensive 1-21 to 3-6 defeat, the Kerry man immediately recalled six of that group to the senior panel but not impressive midfielder Thomas Corcoran.

“Thomas has another year at under-21,” said Evans. “There are a few not called up yet but six joined us 48 hours after their final. It was the best place for them to recover, in with us.

"They all still bringing a winning mentality."

Victorious
Enda Smith and Conor Daly were used by Evans during Roscommon's victorious Division Three league campaign but neither will start at Dr Hyde Park. Daly is injured, while Smith and brother Donie should see some pitch time off the bench.

Fintan Kelly is another promoted under-21 on a seven -strong injury list that includes Michael Finneran and Donal Keane.

Leitrim manager Seán Hagan has named three debutants as they seek to earn a first champinship win over Roscommon for 14 years. Under-21 midfielder Donal Wyrnn, Damian Moran and Seán McWeeney all make Hagan’s line-up.

Meanwhile, Lar Corbett has handed Tipperary a pre-championship boost by returning to action with the Premier County. Corbett, hurler of the year in 2010, played the full 70 minjutes of Tuesday's behind closed doors challenge match against Waterford.

The 33-year-old forward has not played a competitive game since scoring a goal after coming on against Limerick IT in a Waterford Crystal Cup fixture last January.

Corbett missed the entire national league campaign with a knee problem but he was fit enough to complete the pre-match warm-up before the final against Kilkenny.

The Thurles Sarsfields player returned to club duty last weekend and with over two and a half weeks remaining before Tipp play Limerick at home in the Munster SHC semi-final, Corbett's intercounty comeback comes at a most opportune time.

ROSCOMMON (SFC v Leitrim): D O'Malley; S McDermott, N Carty (capt), N Collins; D Keenan, N Daly, C Cafferkey; C Shine, K Higgins; D O'Gara, D Shine, R Stack; S Kilbride, C Cregg, C Murtagh.
LEITRIM (SFC v Roscommon): C McCrann; B Prior, D Wrynn, P Maguire; W McKeon, G Reynolds, P Brennan; D Sweeney, D Moran; K Conlon, R Lowe, B McWeeney; E Mulligan, J Glancy, S McWeeney.
LOUTH (SFC v Westmeath): N Gallagher; P Rath, D Finnegan, G O'Hare; J O'Brien, D Crilly, A Reid; P Keenan, M Fanning; P Reilly, B White, A McDonnell; D Byrne, S Lennon, D Maguire.
OFFALY (SFC v Longford): A Mulhall; D Brady, D Hanlon, N Darby; B Darby, J Moloney, M Brazil; R Allen, N Smith; E Carroll, G Guilfoyle, A Sullivan; J Maher, N McNamee, P Cunningham.