Maughan and Mayo to opt for an experimental mix

AN AUTOMATIC suspension for Anthony Finnerty will contribute to a much changed Mayo team for Sunday's National Football League match against Monaghan in Castlebar. Finnerty, who plays his club football in Galway for Carroroe, was sent to the line in last Sunday's county final in Tuam.

In any case, Mayo manager John Maughan indicated yesterday that he is anxious to give a chance to some new names in Sunday's game. "I'm thinking of resting the Knockmore players who will be involved in the Connacht club championship following their win over Ballina last Sunday."

This means that Ray Dempsey, Kevin O'Neill, PJ Loftus and Peter Butler could all be left out when Maughan names his side this evening.

Ray Connelly, a younger brother of team captain Noel, is sure to be given a chance next Sunday. "He has been playing good football and deserves a chance," says Maughan. Also in line for a place is Ballina's Shane Fitzmaurice.

Danny Ball's reign as Tyrone's new manager starts with the inclusion of two players who had hung up their boots. Matt McGleenan and Noel Donnelly are given unexpected recalls.

McGleenan, whose last appearance for the county was over a year ago, comes in at midfield for the injured Jody Gormley. Noel Donnelly plays at full back. He last played for the county in 1992.

Peter Canavan is the most notable absentee among the six changes from the side that went out to Meath in the All Ireland semi final. Canavan is expected to be out of football until after Christmas due to an ankle injury. Fay Devlin and Chris Lawn are also out through injury.

Ball has also recalled forwards Adrian Kilpatrick, Stephen Lawn and Eoin Gormley. In a much changed side, only five players retain the position they occupied against Meath. They are goalkeeper Finbarr McConnell, Paul Devlin, Ronan McGarrity, Sean McLaughlin and Brian Dooher.

Val Daly, Galway's new manager, has named a new look team for Sunday's league match against Westmeath in Tuam. The team includes only seven players from the side beaten in the Connacht final by Mayo.

There are recalls for Brian Silke and Frank McWalter, while Kieran Furey will be making his debut at midfield.

Monaghan have made sweeping changes for their match with Mayo. Dermot McArdle, Colin McCaul and Ed Murphy constitute a new half back line while Pauric Traynor, Brendan O'Brien and Peter Duffy make up a fresh half forward line.

Sunday's league programme also marks the return of Brian Murray to competitive action. Murray's career suffered an injury setback only days before he was due to line out with Donegal against Down in the Ulster senior football championship last May. A suspected break in his left foot, later diagnosed as damaged ligaments, ruled out any hope of his participation in the Ulster championship.

Yesterday, the 32 year old Dublin based garda was looking forward to resuming his inter county career against Cork at Ballybofey. "I was tempted to give it a miss until after Christmas, but I have spoken with PJ (McGowan, the Donegal manager) and told him the position.

"There is no question about my match fitness at this stage," says Murray. "I feel that it would be best to get back into the swing of things sooner rather than later.

Murray's unfortunate injury, which left him on crutches for weeks, arguably proved a factor in Donegal's early championship dismissal by Ulster finalists Down. He was left with unexpected and unwelcome time on his hands to observe the summers happenings from the sidelines.

"I was very disappointed to see what became of Tyrone. They had beaten two very big and physical teams in Derry and Down and they couldn't beat the likes of Meath. Tyrone went into the game with a few danger men up front, stronger than they had been the previous year.

"Of the four that were left in the championship, I honestly thought it would be a Kerry Tyrone final.

"Regarding the final itself, you'd have to feel for Mayo. They thought they had it sown up when they went six points up on the first day. Then, on the second day, I feel they never learned from their mistakes in the drawn match."

A winner of an All Ireland medal, two Ulster championship awards and three Railway Cup medals, Murray is as enthusiastic as ever about Donegal's prospects at the outset of another winter. "Cork on Sunday will be a good challenge for us. Larry Tompkins will be doing his best to put one over on us in his first match as manager.