Galvin on bench, O'Neill is in contention

ALL-IRELAND SFC FINAL KERRY v TYRONEKERRY CAPTAIN Paul Galvin will start Sunday's All-Ireland football final on the bench. There had been speculation that Galvin, who has completed a 12-week suspension, might start in recognition of the need to strengthen the team's half-forward line for the task of containing Tyrone's fast-breaking half backs and competing on breaking ball.

Nonetheless he is expected to round off what has been a controversial summer by featuring at some stage during the final.

Manager Pat O'Shea has made just two changes to the team that overcame Cork in last month's semi-final replay. Improvised full back Tommy Griffin, introduced to counter the height of Michael Cussen, makes way for Pádraig Reidy, who was dropped for the two semi-final matches but returns at corner back.

Darragh Ó Sé returns after suspension and replaces Micheál Quirke, who partnered Séamus Scanlon at centrefield for the Cork replay. Full forward Kieran Donaghy has shaken off a knee injury and takes his place after satisfying management that he had fully recovered from the knock sustained at the end of the replayed semi-final.

Tyrone have made one change. Brian McGuigan, who was replaced just before the start of the semi-final win over Wexford, is fit to return to the starting line-up in place of Martin Penrose who deputised for him in that match last month and played extremely well.

The only note of controversy was struck by the absence of former Footballer of the Year Stephen O'Neill from the listed replacements. O'Neill arrived back at training after the semi-final victory and there has been speculation all week as to whether he would be named in the team.

His absence from the official substitutes' bench is not considered significant, as Tyrone can on the day hand to the referee the names of any nine substitutes, including O'Neill, and replacements will be drawn from that list.

Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland last night, manager Mickey Harte said that despite O'Neill's omission the player would be part of the plans for Sunday.

"Only 30 names could be submitted for the match programme but Stephen will be available and is very much part of the squad for Sunday," he said. "He is a quality player and will be in action in the not too distant future. Stephen will be part of the team list on Sunday, his fitness levels are very high and Tyrone fans will see him in action very soon."

The team includes three All-Ireland debutants, corner forwards Colm McCullagh and Tommy McGuigan, a brother of Brian, and full back Justin McMahon, brother of Joe who lined out in the same position in the 2005 final before having to go off with an injury and who is picked at left wing forward for Sunday.

It's third time lucky for centrefielder Colin Holmes, who has appeared as a replacement in both the 2003 and '05 finals but this time gets a starting position to partner McGinley.

Seven players will be starting their third final in six years: defenders Ryan McMenamin, Conor Gormley and Philip Jordan, centrefielder Enda McGinley, captain Brian Dooher and Brian McGuigan in the half forwards and Seán Cavanagh, who has played this season at full forward but who started his previous two finals at centrefield.

The four remaining players are starting a second final. Ciarán Gourley and goalkeeper John Devine were on the team that won the county's first All-Ireland in 2003 whereas Davy Harte and Joe McMahon started two years later.

Sunday will be Kerry's fifth successive appearance in the All-Ireland final and of the nine finals so far this decade, either Kerry or Tyrone have appeared in all with the exception of 2001, when Galway defeated Meath.

Tyrone minor captain Ronan McNabb will make his first start of the season in Sunday's All-Ireland minor football final against Mayo. McNabb has had surgery on a groin injury and comes into the side at left wing back.

TYRONE (MF v Mayo): T Harney, F McQuaid, G Teague, R Pickering, S McCrory, P Harte, R McNabb, N McKenna, M Rogers, C Girvan, D McNulty, M Donnelly, K Coney, P McNeice, C O'Neill.