Lydon and Conroy to start for Galway

GALWAY MANAGER Liam Sammon has made two changes for Saturday's All-Ireland football quarter-final against Kerry from the side…

GALWAY MANAGER Liam Sammon has made two changes for Saturday's All-Ireland football quarter-final against Kerry from the side that overcame Mayo in the Connacht final last month.

Mark Lydon comes into midfield for Niall Coleman while the injured Nicky Joyce (who underwent a groin operation last week and is out for six weeks) is replaced by Paul Conroy.

Joe Bergin has recovered from a hamstring injury but his return was postponed by a quad strain sustained in training last week. If Galway find a way past Kerry, Bergin should be fit to feature in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Matthew Clancy featured at wing back during the Connacht final in Castlebar but has been named at right corner forward. Attacker Seán Armstrong remains another injury concern.

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Meanwhile, former Galway forward Ja Fallon believes the Connacht champions have two defenders tailor-made to cope with Kerry dangermen Kieran Donaghy and Tommy Walsh on Saturday.

Fallon, an All-Ireland medallist in 1998 and 2001, expects Damien Burke to tackle Walsh with Finian Hanley picking up Donaghy on the edge of the Galway square.

Donaghy and Walsh combined for 1-4 against Monaghan in last weekend's thrilling qualifier but Fallon doesn't believe the Kingdom duo will be given the same latitude on Saturday.

"Burke and Finian Hanley are tailor-made for Walsh and Donaghy. The two lads are well suited to them. Damien's on top form and Finian is very strong and aggressive. They're both six foot-plus and they can break even with the Kerry lads, said Fallon."

Fallon also believes the four-week lay-off Galway have had will work in their favour. "For the first time ever, I think the break will be positive. The confidence is good . . . Pádraic Joyce and Cormac Bane up front are really on song and I reckon there could be one big performance in Galway," he added. "The only thing that might come against Galway is when they have to dig into their subs."

GALWAY (SF v Kerry):P Doherty; G Bradshaw, F Hanley, D Burke; N Coyne, D Blake, G Sice; B Cullinane, M Lydon; C Bane, P Joyce, P Conroy; M Clancy, M Meehan, F Breathnach.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent