Kildare SF

With confirmation that Niall Buckley will not be returning from Chicago, manager Mick O'Dwyer is likely to make the minimum of changes when he announces his team this evening to face Offaly in Sunday's Leinster semi-final.

Reports last week indicated that Buckley was about to return from his four-month stint in Chicago and rejoin the Kildare panel for the rest of the championship, possibly even starting on Sunday.

However, it was then made known that under the GAA's Rule 41, Buckley would be ineligible to return and play for his club in Chicago, St Brendan's. As he had given a commitment to the club for the rest of the summer, that put an end to Kildare's hopes of his return.

The only major injury worry ahead of Sunday's game concerns forward Karl O'Dwyer. He broke a finger in the quarter-final win over Louth last Sunday week and is reported to have a 50-50 chance of starting. Definitely out is corner back Brian Lacey who was handed a one-month suspension last week after being sent off at the end of the Louth match.

Offaly SF

Padraig Nolan will also name his team this evening and as of yesterday there were no injuries of note. Vinnie Claffey, the hero of the win over Meath, limped off the field just before the end of that victory but that was more down to tiredness than anything else and he will be fit to start.

Ciaran McManus is still ruled out as a result of the two-month suspension handed down last month although he would be able to return for the Leinster final on July 30th should Offaly progress.

Tipperary SF

Six players will make their championship debuts in the team to face Clare in the Munster football semi-final in Limerick on Sunday. Among them are dual players Dan Hackett and Colm Morrissey, who both played with the intermediate hurlers last weekend. Here they will line out at left half back and full forward respectively.

Also making their first senior starts will be the midfield pairing of Eamon Hanrahan and Liam England along with half forwards John Shanahan and PJ Lanigan. Manager Colm O'Flaherty was fortunate to have the minimum of injury worries when deciding his selection but still went for the six changes from the side that fell to Kerry in last year's semi-final.

Gone from that side are Niall Kelly, Sean Collum, John Costello, Derry Foley, Des Lyons and Mark Sheahan.

Hurling stars John Carroll and Brendan Cummins have not been selected.

TIPPERARY (SF v Clare): P Ryan; D Byrne, C O'Dwyer, L Cronin; B Hahessy, S Maher, D Hackett; E Hanrahan, L England; J Shanahan, D Hogan, PJ Lanigan; P Lambert, C Morrissey, D Browne.

Clare SF

Clare are due to pick their side to face Tipperary this evening. The squad has no injury concerns.

Antrim SF

Defender Enda McLarnon is certain to miss the semi-final replay against Derry, having broken a collarbone. He was substituted at half-time of Sunday's draw.

Derry SF

Defender David O'Neill was taken to hospital following his substitution in the first half against Antrim on Sunday. O'Neill became stricken with a recurrence of a viral affliction which badly affects his breathing. It remains unclear if he will be fit in time for the replay.

Armagh SF

The Ulster champions are expected to announce their side to face Fermanagh on Thursday evening. Although goalkeeper Brendan Tierney and defender Kieran McGeeney both sustained knocks against Tyrone, they have resumed full training.

Fermanagh SF

Pat King will delay naming his team to face Armagh in Sunday's Ulster semi-final until Thursday evening. The management are still waiting a final diagnosis on Rory Gallagher, who has not trained since retiring with a knee injury during the second half of the win against Donegal.

Gallagher, who had been enjoying his best spell with the county team, is a vital part of the Fermanagh attack and all efforts will be made to accommodate his recovery.