Kerry bring in Sheehan for Tyrone clash

Kerry have made one defensive change for Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone with John Sheehan coming into the half-back line in place of Marc Ó Sé.

Ó Sé has failed to hit top form since missing the Munster semi-final win over Tipperary with glandular fever. Sheehan replaced him after just 26 minutes in the quarter-final against Roscommon, but the defensive problems continued with Kerry conceding three goals in the closing stages.

Manager Páidí Ó Sé has been able to name a full strength team. John Crowley must again be content with his impact substitute role, while Darragh Ó Sé showed last time out he is nearing his best.

Tyrone have also made one alteration to their team with Gavin Devlin coming straight back into the starting line-up after serving a three-month suspension.

Devlin has missed all but one championship game, the Ulster opener against Derry, due to the ban he received for stamping on Laois forward Colm Parkinson in the National League final on May 4th.

Teenage corner back Dermot Carlin is the player to lose out, with Ciarán Gourley making way for Devlin by switching from centre-back to right corner back.

Chris Lawn and Colm Holmes return to the panel after injury. However, despite Lawn's availability, Cormac McAnallen will again line out at full back, allowing Kevin Hughes and Seán Cavanagh to continue their successful midfield partnership.

Enda McGinley has been named in the full forward line along with Peter Canavan and Owen Mulligan, but is likely adopt a deeper role, leaving the pair space to operate as a two-man inside line.

Stephen O'Neill showed against Fermanagh in the quarter-final he has recovered from his ankle injury but the former All Star has to be content with a place on a formidable looking bench.

Meanwhile, Mick O'Dwyer was rewarded for his achievement in bringing the Leinster championship back to Laois for the first time since 1946 when he was yesterday named the Philips Sports Manager of the Month for July.

Laois beat Kildare in the Leinster final on July 20th before eventually succumbing to Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-final earlier this month.

It is the fourth time the Waterville legend has received the award, the first being in 1984, when he was also manager of the year after leading Kerry to All-Ireland glory. He was also afforded the honour in 1985 and in 1998, when he was at the helm for Kildare's Leinster title.

GAA president Seán Kelly yesterday expressed his sympathy and support to the St Enda's club in Omagh, which suffered serious fire damage to their new stand on Monday. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed they are investigating an arson attack.

Croke Park has announced that tickets for the All-Ireland football senior and minor semi-finals on Sunday will go on general sale from the Ticket Office at the rear of the Cusack Stand from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow and Friday.

A crowd in excess of 60,000 is expected, with Kerry taking up an allocation of 17,000, Tyrone 16,000, while Laois, who are in the minor match against Kerry, have taken 2,000. There has also been a significant interest from all of the other Ulster counties.

Tickets for the special trains to Dublin Connolly Station for the All-Ireland football semi-final will go on sale today at 8 a.m. at all inter-city stations in Kerry. Like last week a "control card" (issued free) in addition to the rail ticket is required to travel.

TYRONE (SF v Kerry): J Devine; C Gourley, C McAnallen, R McMenamin; C Gormley, G Devlin, P Jordan; K Hughes, S Cavanagh; B Dooher, B McGuigan, G Cavlan; E McGinley, P Canavan (capt), O Mulligan.

KERRY (SF v Tyrone): D O'Keeffe; T O'Sullivan, S Moynihan, M McCarthy (capt); T Ó'Sé, É Fitzmaurice, J Sheehan; D Ó Sé, E Brosnan; S O'Sullivan, D Ó Cinnéide, L Hassett; MF Russell, D O'Sullivan, C Cooper

TODAY

All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling semi-final: Cork v Galway, Thurles, 6.45. (Extra-time if necessary).

SATURDAY

All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling semi-finals: Kilkenny v Down, TBC, 3.30, M Haverty (Galway, extra timeif necessary). Galway v Tipperary, Ennis, 4.30, P Horan (Offaly, extra-time if necessary.

All-Ireland Under-21 B Hurling Final: Mayo v Westmeath, Dr Hyde Park, 3.30, D O'Driscoll (Limerick, extra-time if necessary).

Masters Hurling Tournament (second round): Dublin v Kerry, The Ragg, 3.0 (PJ Leahy Tipperary).

Masters Football Tournament (third round): Group A: Donegal v Mayo, Ballyshannon, 4.0, M Duffy (Sligo). Cavan v Leitrim, Kingspan Breffni Park, 4.0, (G Lynch, Fermanagh). Tipperary: bye. Group B: Armagh v Tyrone, Carrickcruppen, 4.0, (M Brady Cavan).

Down v Antrim, Newry, (4.0, (J McQuillan, Cavan). Dublin: bye.

SUNDAY

All-Ireland Minor Football Championship semi-final: Kerry v Laois, Croke Park, 1.45, (M Daly Mayo).

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final: Kerry v Tyrone, Croke Park, 3.30, (G Kinneavy Roscommon).

MONDAY

Masters Hurling Tournament (second round): Limerick v Tipperary, Bruff, 7.0, A Monaghan (Clare).

TUESDAY

All-Ireland Minor 'B' Hurling Quarter-final: Kerry v Westmeath, Nenagh, 6.45, (M Cahill, Tipperary, extra-time if necessary)