Donegal ring the changes

DONEGAL have been forced to make a number of changes or the eagerly awaited clash with Down in the Ulster senior football championship in Clones next Sunday.

Only the full forward line of Brian Roper, Tony Boyle and Manus Boyle remains intact from the side that lost to Derry in the National Football League final on May 5th.

Damien Diver and under 21 midfielder Dessie McNamara of Bundoran, both substitutes for the league decider, make, their championship debuts Diver at left half back and McNamara at right half forward.

The many positional switches reflect Donegal's injury problems. Corner back John Cunningham (groin injury), left half back Martin Shovlin (shoulder) and midfielder Brian Murray (torn ankle ligaments) are all ruled out.

Murray's absence means John Ban Gallagher moves back from right half forward to midfield to partner James Ruane. James McHugh will lead the attack with captain Noel Hegarty moving back to centre back, which many regard as his best position.

Barry McGowan, despite rumours of injury, is included at left full back while Matt Gallagher has been surprisingly placed at right corner back with John Joe Doherty lining out in Gallagher's customary full back spot.

Meanwhile, Billy Kenny has been given a late recall to Wicklow's squad as cover for his brother Hugh who, it transpires, may not be fit in time for Sunday's Leinster senior football championship game against Carlow at Newbridge.

Fresh doubts about Hugh Kenny's fitness come 24 hours after he had been selected in his usual full back position. He failed a fitness test on an ankle strain moments before the preliminary round tie against Longford last Sunday week and has since been receiving treatment from former Dublin manager Pat O'Neill.

Billy Kenny has not figured for the county since last year's championship and his recall is a result of the problems Alan Jenkinson experienced from Longford's high fielding Niall Sheridan in the last outing.

In fairness to Yenkinson, was called upon at the last moment to make his championship debut in direct opposition to a formidable player currently in demand on the basketball scene.

Carlow have recalled Joe Hayden at full forward for Sunday's match. He replaces his Eire Og club mate Garvan Ware who is dropped after a loss of form against Westmeath. There are eight members of the Leinster club championship winning team in Sunday's line out but there is still no place for Brendan or Colm Hayden.

Dual player Johnny Nevin, who had a poor game at centre back in last Sunday's Leinster senior hurling championship clash against Westmeath, will be hoping for better fortune this time when he leads the attack.

On his left is Niall Rennick, who was Dave Foran's predecessor as Wicklow manager. It will be interesting to see how Rennick fares against members of a defence he had coached.

Philip McGillycuddy, the Wicklow centre back, puts Sunday's game into perspective "Beating Carlow would top off the year, we wouldn't be too worried about progressing against Meath. I don't think Carlow would either. Realistically you can't do it from Division.

McGillycuddy does not regard this assessment as any huge concession. He said "The importance in the match for us is to consolidate our position, having got out of Division Four last year, apart from the fact, of course, that it is a local derby. The An Tochar and Baltinglass players in our side especially would like to get one up on the Eire Og lads and Bobby Miller.