McDermott back at centre of everything

All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Armagh v Donegal Donegal manager Brian McEniff has recalled young midfielder Stephen McDermott to…

All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Armagh v DonegalDonegal manager Brian McEniff has recalled young midfielder Stephen McDermott to play against defending champions Armagh in the All-Ireland semi-final this Sunday.

Joe Kernan has made no changes to the Armagh team and has named a full strength panel.

McDermott's return means Brendan Boyle drops back down to the bench despite giving a good account of himself alongside John Gildea in the quarter-final replay against Galway on August 10th.

McDermott was replaced at half-time in the drawn match with Galway after he failed to recover from a stubbed toe.

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"Boyle came in and did very well, but that's championship football for you," says Fermanagh manager Dom Corrigan.

Corrigan's charges were responsible for putting an end to Donegal's Ulster title aspirations in the opening championship game, although the defeat meant they took the less treacherous path through the qualifiers.

"They have great pace and mobility and they didn't get the credit for their victories. They beat Sligo, who are not a bad side at all, and Longford, who were promoted to Division One this year.

"Donegal really have been the story of the championship since June. They were not only on the ropes they were on the floor, but they responded magnificently.

"Brian McEniff started the season late and they really didn't have a pre-season so they were probably not ready for the June match.

"John Gildea in the middle of the field has been excellent all season. The difference between the start of the year and the Galway match was that they outfought them," he added.

These fighting qualities are in evident right through the side with last year's All Star wing back Kevin Cassidy lining out beside fit again centre back Barry Monaghan.

Monaghan jarred his knee in training last week but is expected to start in a solid half-back line that is completed by Shane Carr.

However, there is a lack of resources to cover the defensive lines due to Noel McGinley's appeal against a 12-week ban being quashed.

Ironically, he was sent off, while playing for his club Naomh Columba, in an attempt to prove his fitness to McEniff. James Ruane is also ruled out with an ankle injury.

With the All-Ireland champions without any injuries, Corrigan finds it difficult to look past an Armagh-Tyrone final.

"After a tight struggle I think Armagh will win. They are an even better team than they were last year. Since the Monaghan defeat they have stepped up their performances, especially against Dublin and a good Laois team.

"They have too much power around the middle, especially with McGrane, that will deny Devenney and Sweeney the vital supply of possession."

The Cork under-21 footballers have added senior hurlers John Gardiner and Setanta Ó hAilpín to the panel for Thursday's Munster championship semi-final against Waterford at Walsh Park.

Yesterday, The Irish Times published an account of Monday night's Kerry County Board meeting under the heading Walsh calls time on Ó Sé's turbulent career.

We would like to emphasise that the Kerry county chairman made no reference to the outgoing manager of the Kerry senior footballers and that it will be up to Páidí Ó Sé to decide if he wishes to put his name forward for consideration when the process of choosing a new management team gets under way.

This process is the normal one conducted every time the term of a management team expires in the county.

1 P Hearty

2 A Mallon 3 E McNulty 4 F Bellew

15 B Devenney 14 A Sweeney 13 B Roper

5 A O'Rourke 6 K McGeeney 7 A McCann

12 P McGonigle 11 M Hegarty 10 C Toye

8 P Loughran 9 P McGrane

9 S McDermott 8 J Gildea

10 R Clarke 11 J McEntee 12 O McConville

7 K Cassidy 6 B Monaghan 5 S Carr

13 S McDonnell 14 D Marsden 15 T McEntee

4 D Diver 3 R Sweeney 2 N McCready

1 T Blake

Armagh in bold

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent