THE FORMER Kilkenny player. Eamon Morrissey, twice All Ireland medallist, is expected to reclaim his place on the Dublin team for Sunday's Leinster championship match against Westmeath in Mullingar.
Morrissey missed the National League match against Antrim last Sunday in Parnell Park but has recovered from a groin strain and is almost certain to be named in the side when the team is announced today.
Dublin, with six successive league victories under their belt, including one over Cork, have raised hopes that their long awaited revival is, upon us.
The Craobh Ciarain, corner forward Connie Ring, who deputised for Morrissey last Sunday was himself replaced during the Antrim match, will now hand over the number 13 shirt to Morrissey. No other changes are expected.
Westmeath's hurling followers will be happy with a spirited performance against the highflying Dubliners. With only two points from six, matches played so far, things have not been going well and a heavy defeat by Waterford in their last National League match (3-22 to 1-6) has not improved the morale of the side.
The Westmeath county secretary, Paddy Collins, said: "Things have, not been going well for us recently, but we can only improve. Dublin have had a great run in the league and will be a match for anyone in Leinster this year so the best that we can hope for is a good show. It, would certainly he a major upset if we were to win this one".
Offaly selectors will not decide on their line out for Sunday's clash with Meath until tomorrow night. Several Players are nursing injuries following last Sunday's National League victory over Lao is which assures them of a place in the play off.
Johnny Dooley was forced to join the list of injured after only 16 minutes of the Laois game and is hoping that his knee problem will have cleared up to take his place against, Meath.
Others recovering at different, rates are Billy Dooley, Daithi Regan, Michael Duignan, John Troy and Brian Whelehan, who also picked up a leg injury in the Laois match.
The Offaly secretary, Christy Todd said that the injury list is so long that the selectors will not be sure of their line out perhaps until Sunday morning. "An assessment of the situation was made at training on Tuesday night and the injured players were all examined and given advice about treatment. We should have a better idea of the situation on Thursday night and a team will be selected but we will not be sure of the lineout until Saturday or even Sunday," Todd said.
As part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Cavan Kerry All Ireland final of 1947 in the Polo Grounds, New York, the Cavan county board has organised a gala banquet for the surviving members of both teams and their friends in the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, on Thursday May 22nd. Presentations will be made to members of both teams or surviving relatives.
A special tribute to Michael O'Hehir, who gave a radio commentary on the match which Cavan won by 2-11 to 2-7, will also be paid.
The Cavan under 21 team which won the Ulster championship in 1996 will also receive their medals at the function.
Meanwhile, Four members of the St Patrick's, Dungannon, team which won the Hogan Cup will form the nucleus of a strong Tyrone minor team which meets Down in the Ulster Minor championship in Clones on Sunday. Three of the Tyrone Vocational Schools team which reached the All Ireland final will, also be in action.
The St Patrick's players are Ciaran Gourley, Conal Martin, Richard Thornton and Brian McGuigan. The goalkeeper on the Vocational team, Aidan O'Connor, will have team mates Kevin O'Brien and Stephen Donnelly in action. Adrian Ball, son of the senior team manager, Danny Ball, plays at left half back.
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