Doherty makes return to the Donegal fold

JOHN JOE DOHERTY returns to the Donegal lineup for the first time this season when he lines out against Cavan in the rescheduled National Football League Division One match at Ballyshannon on Sunday.

Doherty hasn't played for the county since the Ulster championship defeat by Down in May due to a combination of injury and club commitments. Doherty comes in for the injured Peter McGinley and lines out at full back. In a reversal of their customary roles, Doherty is flanked in the right corner by Donegal stalwart Matt Gallager.

In the only other change from their last League outing, against Tyrone, Dessie McNamara comes in at wing forward for the injured Ollie Reid. The game is still likely to be overshadowed by the death of Donegal panel member Patrick Cunningham, whose passing led to last Sunday's postponement.

Meanwhile, the Oireachtas hurling semi-finals, previously fixed for Thurles on Sunday, have been switched to Kilmallock and Nowlan Park respectively because of a clash with club fixtures in Tipperary. Clare and Waterford will now meet in Kilmallock, while the Kilkenny versus Offaly game has been rescheduled for Nowlan Park.

In a surprise move, Kilkenny manager Nicky Brennan has instructed members of his squad not to give interviews to the media. Brennan says that he wants to protect the players, particularly the younger ones, from over-exposure.

Back in the squad, although not yet being considered for places in the team, are the O'Connor brothers, Eddie and Willie, and Liam Simpson, who has been out with a serious knee injury and is reported to be making a slow but sure recovery.

Interest in Fermanagh is very high for the All-Ireland B football championship final meeting with Longford in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday. Both sides will be at full strength. Longford beat Roscommon and Fermanagh beat Sligo in the semi-finals. Extra-time will be played if needed.

Dublin hurling champions O'Toole's will not relish being reminded of the time-worn sports phrase "it's not over til it's over" after their experience against Offaly champions Seir Kieran in Portlaoise last week. Ten points up after 20 minutes and nine up at half-time, O'Toole's were pegged back in a pulsating finish. The teams meet again at Portlaoise on Saturday. O'Toole's will have to do without Joey Morris and Paul Gettings, while Seir Kieran will be short the services of James Connors. All three were sent off last Sunday.

Football supporters are being treated to a double bill at Portlaoise which hosts the Leinster club semi-finals. St Sylvester's from Dublin meet Kilanerin of Wexford in the first game, while Eire Og, Carlow and Kildare's Round Towers meet in the second game. Three of the four teams will be playing at this stage of the competition for the first time. Eire Og are last year's defeated All-Ireland finalists.

Kilanerin, nominated for the Leinster championship by the Wexford county board because of a fixture back-log, were beaten in the county final last Sunday by Glynn-Barntown.

The reigning All-Ireland club champions, Laune Rangers, will be without their captain, Gerard Murphy, for their Munster semifinal clash with Rathgormack from Waterford in Dungarvan. Murphy is under suspension after being sent off in a club match last Sunday. Also missing is Shane O'Sullivan who broke a collarbone in another club match.

In the other Munster semifinal, Clonakilty from Cork are at home to Doonbeg from Clare. Doonbeg have seven members of the Clare panel in their side and will be a difficult proposition for newcomers Clonakilty.

Clones stages the Ulster semifinal meeting of Castleblayney and Crossmaglen. Armagh champions Crossmaglen are favourites having beaten Down champions Burren in the last round.

The Connacht final between Mayo champions Knockmore and Roscommon champions Clann na nGael is fixed for Ballina. Knockmore will still be without Ray Dempsey, who is under suspension, but after victories over Allen Gaels from Leitrim and St Mary's from Sligo, they are favourites to get through.