Marsden to start on the bench for Armagh

Diarmuid Marsden will not start for Armagh in Sunday's Bank of Ireland semi-final against Kerry.

Although the current All-Star has shaken off the ankle sprain he picked up in the early stages of the Ulster semi-final against Fermanagh, the selectors have decided against breaking up the forward unit that came through that semi-final and also against Derry in the provincial final.

The decision means that Barry O'Hagan has the opportunity to extend upon the fine run of form which started when he replaced the luckless Marsden 13 minutes into the Fermanagh game. O'Hagan was only recalled to the panel a week before that clash and could scarcely have predicted such a dramatic return to big-time football.

He seized his opportunity brilliantly in that game, taking three points off a tight Fermanagh defence and his contribution arguably propelled Armagh to their second-consecutive Ulster final.

In that match against Derry, he was deployed at centre forward and again enjoyed a productive afternoon, influential in attack and hitting a point from play.

Marsden's bench-role means that two of the most highly regarded forwards in the game will start as spectators. Kerry's Maurice Fitzgerald will also start the game from the bench and it will be intriguing to see how both management teams use their respective stars.

Ger Reid has reclaimed the full-back spot he temporarily relinquished through injury. The Armagh team has a more balanced look this year. Last year, the attack had a lopsided look, with Marsden and Oisin McConville accumulating most of the scores.

Dromintee's Cathal O'Rourke is having a fine season, ferreting for possession around the midfield diamond and also accurate in the free-taking duties he shares with McConville.

While John McEntee seemed uncertain in his forward role last year, he has relished the return to midfield, where he commands matters so effectively for his club, Crossmaglen.

Former Mayo footballer Peter Forde was last night appointed the new manager of the Sligo senior footballers for one year. Four selectors will be named at the September meeting of the county board. He succeeds Derryman Micky Moran who resigned following Sligo's defeat by Galway in last month's Connacht championship semi-final.

Kilkenny could be without peerless attacker DJ Carey for the All-Ireland hurling final against Offaly on September 10th. The Young Irelands forward broke a finger in a club match on Wednesday evening, and he faces a battle to be fit for the All-Ireland.

"The injury is very sore at the moment, which is understandable," Carey revealed. "There is no displacement of the bone and I would hope the injury will be short term."

The finger broken was the small one on the right hand. Carey will have a consultation with his doctor today when a clearer picture will emerge.

ARMAGH (SF v Kerry): B Tierney; E McNulty, G Reid, J McNulty; K Hughes, K McGeeney, A McCann; J McEntee, T McEntee; C O'Rourke, P McGrane, P McKeever; S O'Donnell, B O'Hagan, O McConville.