Galway selector Fallon declares himself available

Jarlath "Ja" Fallon has stepped down as Galway football selector in an attempt to regain a place in Peter Ford's team ahead of Saturday's fourth-round championship qualifier against Westmeath at Pearse Stadium.

The 33-year-old has been part of the Ford management for two years but has continued to impress at club level for Tuam Stars. Fallon informed the panel on Saturday of his decision and is expected to be utilised as an impact replacement.

His last appearance for the Tribesmen was the 2003 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Donegal. A hugely successful career that included two senior All-Irelands was interrupted by a cruciate knee injury in 2000, but the former All Star centre forward has been injury-free since.

"Jarlath has rejoined the panel as a player and is back in training," confirmed football chairman Pat Egan.

"It's unlikely he would start but the team isn't selected yet so we'll see. He has been going well with Tuam Stars and is the type of footballer who has always kept in good shape.

"In fact, he is super-fit."

Fallon's return is a timely boost for a Galway team that has struggled for form since reaching the National League final.

Also, it offsets the absence of Seán Armstrong (hamstring) and Derek Savage (quad).

Armstrong faces a long-term rehabilitation process after sustaining the injury in the Connacht final defeat to Mayo, while Savage is hoping to return for an All-Ireland quarter-final meeting with Dublin.

Westmeath manager Tomás Ó Flatharta will announce a team on Thursday evening, but David O'Shaughnessy remains sidelined with an achilles tendon injury, while minor graduate John Connellan suffered a shoulder injury in the third-round victory over Sligo and is unavailable.

The Kerry team to face Longford in Killarney on Saturday will be selected from a full panel tomorrow night, according to team selector Ger O'Keeffe.

Midfielder Kieran Donaghy returns from the two-week suspension that ruled him out of the defeat to Cork in the Munster final replay.

There is widespread speculation the management will make several changes to the team that badly disappointed during the provincial campaign.

"Everyone seems to be panicking accept for the Kerry football management," said O'Keeffe. "The route we must now take hasn't harmed other teams in the past and we are no different."

Donegal are set to be without the suspended Paddy Campbell for Saturday's qualifier against Fermanagh in Enniskillen, although the Central Appeals Committee chairman, Jim Forbes, confirmed yesterday that the four-week suspension would be reviewed this week.

The Donegal board delivered an appeal by hand to central council last Saturday.

Campbell was belatedly punished as a result of video evidence showing him striking Enda Muldoon in the Ulster football semi-final on June 18th.

He played in the Ulster final on July 9th so the suspension is set to rule him out of Saturday's game and the All-Ireland quarter-final against Cork on August 5th, should Donegal progress.

Fermanagh will be without injured Kilmacud Crokes midfielder Liam McBarron but this is offset by the return of Marty McGrath from long-term injury.

McGrath played in the third-round victory over Wexford.