Team Check: Quaid back for Limerick

Limerick SH

Joe Quaid is back between the posts for Limerick's showdown with Cork in Thurles this Sunday. The long-serving goalkeeper had been switching responsibilities with newcomer Timmy Houlihan throughout the league and it was suspected that the younger man would get the nod.

However, manager Eamonn Cregan has decided that the experience of the Feohanagh man would be most suited for the fearsome challenge that will come with Cork. Houlihan, who played in the league semi-final loss to Tipperary, is named among the substitutes.

Among those making senior championship debuts will be forwards James Butler and Mark Keane, midfielder Michael O'Brien, and defender Stephen Lucey, who along with Brian Geary and Brian Begley, enjoyed such memorable success with the under-21 football side.

Begley had been carrying a hamstring injury in recent weeks but was passed fit to play.

Other changes from last year's side sees a completely new full forward line. The combination of Mark Foley, Shane O'Neill and Mike Galligan has been replaced by Butler, Begley and Barry Foley. The most notable absentee is Clem Smith, forced out through injury.

Limerick (SH v Cork): J Quaid; S McDonagh, TJ Ryan, S Lucey; B Geary, O Moran, M Foley; M O'Brien, J Moran; S O'Neill, C Carey, M Keane; J Butler, B Begley, B Foley. Subs: T Houlihan, C Smith, D Ryan, W Walsh, B Callinan, D Hennessey, D Stapleton, D Clarke, M Galligan.

Cork SH

All bar one of last September's All-Ireland winning side will line out to face Limerick. The captain of that team, Mark Landers, continues to be troubled by a hamstring injury and his place at midfield is once again taken by Pat Ryan, as it was in last Saturday's win over Kerry.

Both Ben O'Connor and John Browne also missed that last outing due to minor injuries but are recovered enough to respectively resume the corner forward and corner back roles.

O'Connor's recovery also means the full forward line regains its full strength. And behind that, Timmy McCarthy has been showing the sharpest of form, claiming eight points last time out.

Cork (SH v Cork): D Og Cusack; F Ryan, D O'Sullivan, J Browne; W Sherlock, B Corcoran, S O hAilpin; M O'Connell, P Ryan; T McCarthy, F McCormack, N Ronan; S McGrath, J Deane, B O'Connor. Subs: B Rochford, P Mulcahy, D Barrett, A Browne, J O'Connor, K Murray, M Landers, J Sheehan, B Coleman.

Laois SH

There are no changes in the team to meet Dublin for Monday's replay at Tullamore. The one position switch sees Niall Rigney move to midfield and, in a direct swap, Cyril Cuddy takes up the ropes at right half back.

Laois (SH v Dublin): J Lyons; P J Peacock, B Maher, N Lacey; C Cuddy, P Cuddy, D Dowling; N Rigney, D Conroy; D Rooney, D Cuddy, J Phelan; A Coffey, J Young, F O'Sullivan.

Down SH

Manager Jimmy O'Reilly has named four championship debutants for the team to face New York in Saturday's Ulster hurling first-round tie at Casement Park. Both corner backs Martin Mallon and John Caughey get their first senior starts, as well as midfielder Gary Gordon and full forward Paul Braniff.

Down (SH v New York): G Clarke; M Mallon, K Coulter, J Caughey; S Murray, P Coulter, M Pucci; P Monan, G Gordon; B Braniff, G Savage, G McGratten; J McGratten, P Braniff, N Sands.

Laois SF

Paul Dunne is the sole championship debutant in the team to face Westmeath in Tullamore on Monday.

In last year's championship, David Sweeney played half forward but lines out at centre back here. Full back Tom Kelly is also more familiar among the forwards. Derek Conroy starts at centre forward.

Laois (SF v Westmeath): F Byron; E Delaney, T Kelly, J Higgins; K Fitzpatrick, D Sweeney, C Parkinson; T Maher, N Garvan; C Conway, D Conroy, G Ramsbottom; S Kelly, M Lawlor, P Dunne.

London SF

Only five players remain from the side that gave Galway a bit of a scare last year for Sunday's meeting with Roscommon in Ruislip. There will be seven players making their championship debuts.

In the defence, there will be first starts for goalkeeper John Collins, Colin McCarthy, Niall McSherry and Niall Lynch as well as midfielder Colin Galligan and forwards David McGinley and Jason Ryan.

London (SF v Roscommon): J Collins; B McDonagh, C McCarthy, N McSherry; N Lynch, P Rafter, M Donoghue; T Murphy, C Gilligan; F Downey, D Deering, P Coggins; K Jackman, D McGinley, J Ryan.