Dowd leads as Leinster makes five changes

RAILWAY CUP champions Leinster show five changes from the side that won last year's title in manager Mattie Kerrigan's selection for Sunday's semi final against Ulster. Kerrigan and his selectors had their hands forced by the absence on holiday of All Ireland champions Meath whose sole representative is captain Tommy Dowd who also leads his province. Dowd is one of the five changes although he has played for Leinster in the past.

His team mates John McDermott and Graham Geraghty, members of last year's winning team, miss out because of their trip abroad while the Dublin pair of Eamonn Heery and Paul Bealin were not considered because of personal reasons and injury, respectively. Wicklow's Hugh Kenny is the other player missing from last April's victorious team.

Louth lead the way in terms of representation with John Donaldson at wing back bringing their numbers up to four. He is one of four newcomers, along with Kildare's Johnny McDonald, Westmeath's Dermot Brady and Ciaran Whelan of Dublin.

Whelan has attracted a lot of positive attention after a fine senior debut in last July's Leinster final and his performances since have marked him out as Dublin's most promising discovery in the year and a half since the All Ireland victory of 1995. He is named at wing forward but, although he plays in the half forward line for Dublin, many believe his best position is at midfield.

Full back Garett O'Neill will be lacing his own province after switching allegiance across the border from his native Armagh to Louth. O'Neill, however, awaits a fitness test and should he fail to shake off his hamstring injury, his place will be taken by Wicklow's Kenny who lined out on the edge of the square in last, year's final.

Munster, on the other hand, show nine changes from the side which lost last year's final to Leinster in their team to play Connacht in the other semi final. Some of the changes are on the basis of form and some on the basis of suspension but only last year's full back and full forward lines boast survivors. Brian Corcoran is named at centre forward rather than corner back.

Kevin O'Dwyer, Billy O'Shea and Brian Burke are all named on the bench whereas Dara O Se and Dara O Cinneide are both suspended for playing illegally in New York. An entirely new midfield has been drafted in with William Kirby - who has yet to stake a regular claim to a first team place in his county - and Limerick's John Quane lining out there.

The attack is largely untried with Cork's Martin Cronin, Kerry's Johnny Crowley and Genie, Farrell starting. Munster's record against Connacht is good and they won the last meeting between the provinces in Ballinasloe three years ago.

. The Eastern Health Board's case against Croke Park in respect of the food hygiene breaches that may cost, pending appeal, former soccer international Mick Lawlor's catering company £55,000, has been adjourned for a week.

. Former Munster Council chairman and GAA trustee, Michael Frawley, who has been elected chairman of Tipperary football board, says his ambition is to see the Sam Maguire Cup come to Tipperary.