Athenry's Feeney in race to be fit

Brian Feeney is Athenry's main concern as they prepare to defend their Galway hurling title against Abbey-Duniry in Ballinasloe on Sunday.

Feeney has been plagued by a long-standing groin injury which curtailed his involvement in Galway's two games against Clare in the All-Ireland quarter final last summer.

However, he continues to improve and is expected to make the team. The only other concern is Donal Moran, who is suffering from flu. Athenry have named the same team that swept aside Ardrahan in the semi-final but Eugnene Cloonan drops back to centre forward with Pat Higgins named at full-forward.

Abbey-Duniry are also expected to line out with the same side that defeated Sarsfields in their semi-final. Both teams feature in the final for the second consecutive year.

Mayo manager Pat Holmes has stressed his intention of shaping a new challenge by omitting three of county's most established players from his squad for the forthcoming National League campaign.

Maurice Sheridan, David Brady and John Casey will not be included in the initial squad sheet as Holmes prepares for his first competitive outing against Derry.

Holmes has trawled the county in search of new talent and among those expected to feature shortly is Stephen Carolan, the Belmullet player who excelled for his club in their successful Intermediate title bid last Sunday, hitting 1-3 over the course of that match against Kilmaine.

Meath star Tommy Dowd continues to be plagued by the back injury which affected him in the latter stage's of Meath All-Ireland championship run. It is considered unlikely that he will line our for Dunderry in the Meath quarter-final replay against Summerhill on Sunday.

Meath defender Mark O'Reilly will once more line out at full forward for Summerhill.