Moran adds power and pace

Gaelic Games Championship 2006: Mickey Moran has slightly reshaped the Mayo team for Sunday's Connacht championship semi-final against Leitrim with Billy Joe Padden and Ronan McGarrity adding size and athleticism to the middle third.

David Heaney played at midfield in the opening championship fixture against London on May 28th but the team captain moves back to a more natural defensive role. With the basketball season behind him, McGarrity comes back into midfield with Pat Harte, while Padden is named at wing forward.

David Brady would have almost certainly featured off the bench but the midfielder's season is potentially a write-off due to a fractured metatarsal bone. However, younger brother Ger retains the number 11 jersey with last year's captain Ciarán McDonald remaining in the full forward line.

McDonald is joined by Andy Moran and Conor Mortimer, whose older brother Trevor misses out because of a calf strain. Kevin O'Neill ensures a proven forward is held in reserve.

Despite Mayo capturing the All-Ireland under-21 title last month, Moran has selected only one player from that team, the captain Keith Higgins.

Meanwhile, despite his soccer career being under threat with Newry City, Colm McCullagh comes straight into the Tyrone team for tomorrow's qualifier replay against Louth in Omagh.

Manager Mickey Harte asked the forward to come out of intercounty retirement - against the wishes of his employers - to cover an injury list that includes Stephen O'Neill, Brian Dooher, Brian McGuigan and Ger Cavlan. McCullagh is named at corner forward alongside Owen Mulligan and Martin Penrose.

Enda McGinley makes his first start since last September's All-Ireland final. He comes in for Peter Donnelly at left wing forward, while underage sensation Raymond Mulgrew is afforded an opportunity to shine. John Devine replaces regular goalkeeper Pascal McConnell.

Louth have made one change to their team with Ray Finnegan preferred over Ronan Carroll at half forward.

Armagh delayed announcing their side for Sunday's Ulster football semi-final replay against Fermanagh in Clones after goalkeeper Ciarán McKinney's father passed away this week. Paul Hearty was a late replacement for McKinney in the drawn match on June 11th. Fermanagh will select after tonight's training session.

Kildare have made several changes to the side defeated by Offaly for Saturday's qualifier against Cavan. Anthony Rainbow and Kevin O'Neill return to the defence while Mark Hogarty moves from full back to left corner back. Mick Foley starts on the wing instead of the injured Padraig Mullarkey. John Divilly is retained at centre back.

James and Ian Lonergan miss out because of injury. Up front Tommy Archbold and Tomás O'Connor will make their first championship starts in the full-forward line. James Kavanagh also starts in place of the injured Derek McCormack.

MAYO (SF v Leitrim): J Healy; D Geraghty, L O'Malley, K Higgins; D Heaney (capt), J Nallen, P Gardiner; P Harte, R McGarrity; BJ Padden, G Brady, A Dillon; C MacDonald, C Mortimer, A Moran.

TYRONE (SF v Louth): J Devine; R McMenamin (capt), C McGinley, M McGee; D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan; C Holmes, S Cavanagh; R Mellon, R Mulgrew, E McGinley; M Penrose, O Mulligan, C McCullagh.

LOUTH (SF v Tyrone): S Reynolds; D Brennan, C Goss, J Carr; J O'Brien, P McGinnity, J Neary; M Farrelly (capt), P Keenan; C Grimes, M Brennan, R Finnegan; JP Rooney, M Stanfield, D Clarke.

KILDARE (SF v Cavan): E Murphy; A McLoughlin, K O'Neill, M Hogarty; M Foley, J Divilly, A Rainbow; D Earley, K Brennan; J Doyle, J Kavanagh, R Sweeney; T Archbold, T O'Connor, P O'Neill.