In the obvious belief that the O'Byrne Cup, the "secondary" football competition in Leinster, is an ideal arena to blood young players, Dublin manager Tommy Carr has promoted promising Under-21 player Dara Maxwell to the starting line-up for tomorrow's semi-final with Louth at Drogheda.
Maxwell's elevation is one of six changes the Dublin selectors' have made from the side which inflicted a 14-point defeat on Laois almost three weeks ago. The St Olaf's player, starting a senior game for the first time, has been named as midfield partner for Railway Cup player Ciaran Whelan, with Brian Stynes switching to the half-forward line.
Goalkeeper David Byrne, defender Eamonn Heery, Maxwell and attackers Peter Ward, Robbie Boyle and Jim Gavin are drafted in at the expense of Mick Pender, Keith Galvin, Mick Deegan, Dessie Farrell, Damien O'Brien and Jason Sherlock, who wasn't considered because of soccer commitments with UCD this weekend.
Louth manager Paddy Clarke has also shuffled his side for the game. When the team was announced last night, the Louth selectors' made six changes from that which beat Wexford in the quarter-finals. Two changes were enforced, due to an injury to midfielder Gerry Curran and the unavailability of Stefan White, who is away on holidays.
Long-serving goalkeeper Niall O'Donnell replaces Colm Nally, while Brien Philips, Aaron Hoey, who has recovered from injury, Stephen Melia, Martin Farrelly and Alan Doherty all return to the side. Gareth O'Neill, who was on interprovincial duty last weekend, will man the centre half-back position where he will come into direct opposition with his new Leinster team-mate, Declan Darcy.
Meanwhile, Wicklow are expected to be without defender Philip McGillicuddy for their National Football League Section D encounter with Limerick on Sunday. McGillicuddy, who has served the two-week suspension he incurred after being dismissed for two personal fouls in an O'Byrne Cup match against Meath last month, is struggling to fend off an injury sustained in training. The Wicklow team will be announced today.
Veteran Cork footballer Niall Cahalane has appealed to the Munster Council against a 12month suspension imposed by the Cork County Board after he clashed with the referee at the end of last year's county final. Cahalane's club, Castlehaven, are due to play British champions Tir Chonaill Gaels in the All-Ireland club football quarter-final on Sunday week (with the winners meeting Leinster champions Erin's Isle of Dublin on February 22nd). If the provincial council lift the suspension, Cahalane will be allowed to assist his club in the series.
The Games Administration Committee (GAC) has rejected an appeal from Donegal footballer Leslie McGettigan to lift a 12month ban which was handed down for playing without proper authorisation in the United States. McGettigan's club, St Eunan's, Letterkenny, were stripped of the county title after his suspension was imposed, but the GAC has upheld the ban after receiving further clarification from New York.
National hurling league champions Limerick will be sporting a new look in the 1998 season. Their sponsors, the Mid Western Health Board, are to refit the squad and, according to the board's treasurer, Michael Fitzgerald, the shirt material will be similar to that worn by English Premiership clubs.
Meanwhile, in the search for new talent, manager Eamon Creegan is to have a full-scale trial involving 40 players in Kilmallock on Sunday. Omitted are Gary Kirby and Ciaran Carey, both of whom have been told to take a break from the game.
The president of the GAA, Joe McDonagh, will be the guest speaker at the Patrickswell 50th birthday celebrations in Adare on this Saturday.
