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Last Updated:  Saturday, 22 March, 2003, 13:06 GMT
Ulster sides hit by injuries
Donegal manager Brian McEniff hopes Devenney's return will boost morale
Brendan Devenney returns for already relegated Donegal

Injury worries have forced several Ulster counties to delay naming their teams for this weekend's Allianz National Football League programme.

Donegal, in action against Cork on Saturday evening, Down, Cavan and Monaghan have yet to reveal their line-ups.

All-Ireland champions Armagh have only been able to confirm a probable line-up which could show changes at the throw-in.

Already relegated Donegal have only pride to play for in Saturday's clash at Pairc Ui Rinn.

Brendan Devenney, who came on as a substitute last weekend against Kerry, is likely to start for Brian McEniff's side.

Cork, with six points from their opening five games, will be unchanged from the side which hammered Dublin last time out even though their Nemo Rangers contingent are available again.

Most attractive of Sunday's matches could be the Armagh v Galway clash at Crossmaglen.

Despite losing against Tyrone a fortnight ago, Armagh will secure a semi-final place by beating the Tribesmen.

Scullion all-clear

With Ronan Clarke expected to be out until early May, Barry Duffy and Barry O'Hagan are expected to start in the attack. Oisin McConville is being rested for the Crossmaglen game.

Philip Loughran is expected to partner Paul McGrane in midfield.

Down need a victory over Kildare at Newbridge to move away from the relegation zone.

Benny Coulter is suspended for the match after his sending off in Down's Ulster U21 Championship defeat by Monaghan last weekend.

On the plus side, Adrian Scullion has been given the all-clear, allaying fears that he had suffered a broken nose in a club game last weekend.

Daniel McCartan, Ronan Murtagh and Ronan Sexton are all available after missing the defeat against Cavan.

St Mary's College student Dan Gordon is in line to replace Coulter in the forward line.

Victory could earn Mattie Kerrigan's Cavan a place in the NFL semi-finals
Mattie Kerrigan's Cavan face Laois

Cavan boss Mattie Kerrigan has something of an injury crisis going into his team's match against Laois at Breffni Park.

Colm Hannon remains on the sidelines because of exam commitments while James Doonan (hamstring), Michael Hannon (shin splints), and Gerard Pierson (groin) are all definitely out.

Peter O'Reilly (knee) and Mickey Graham (ankle) are also major injury doubts.

Jason O'Reilly could make an appearance at some stage even though he has been suffering from an ankle injury.

Victory in the match could ensure a semi-final place for Cavan.

Laois know that two points will guarantee them a place in the last four.

Monaghan, meanwhile, will go into Sunday's Division 2B game against Clare in Ennis with a degree of confidence after beating an admittedly understrength Tyrone in last weekend's McKenna Cup Final.

Meanwhile, Antrim are involved in something of a basement battle in the Division 2A game against Wicklow at Aughrim.

Adams returns

Manager PJ O'Hare is struggling to find his right blend for the championship campaign.

Martin McCarry has been operating at midfield in recent games but he has been switched to full-forward for this game.

Darren O'Hare, a son of the Antrim boss, will partner Mark McCrory in midfield while Chris Anderson and John McCourt will take over from Ciaran Anderson and Niall Ward in the defence.

Gearoid Adams will make his first start in the half-backs since making his peace with PJ O'Hare with Sean Paul O'Hagan dropping out of the Antrim defence.

In the attack, Chris McCann replaces Conall Kelly.

Armagh (probable): P Hearty, E McNulty, J McNulty, F Bellew, K Hughes, K McGeeney, A McCann, P McGrane, P Loughran, P McKeever, J McEntee, B O'Hagan, S McDonnell, B Duffy, T McEntee.

Antrim: S McGreevy, J McCourt, J McKeever, Chris Anderson, G Adams, S Kelly, A Finnegan, M McCrory, D O'Hare, P McCann, K Brady, K McGourty, C McCann, M McCarry, K Madden. Subs: C Lynch, N Ward, SP O'Hagan, C Tumelty, T O'Neill, J O'Neill, J Storey, C Kelly.

Allianz National Football League (1530 GMT unless stated)

Saturday 22 March

Division 1A
Pairc Ui Rinn: Cork v Donegal (1930 BST)

Division 2A
Ardee: Louth v Limerick (1530 BST)

Division 2B
Celtic Park: Derry v Wexford (1330 BST)

Sunday 23 March

Division 1A
Crossmaglen: Armagh v Galway (1430 GMT)
Hyde Park: Roscommon v Dublin
Killarney: Kerry v Tyrone (1315 GMT)

Division 1B
Navan: Meath v Mayo
Markievicz Park: Sligo v Fermanagh
Newbridge: Kildare v Down
Breffni Park: Cavan v Laois

Division 2A
Ruislip: London v Leitrim
Aughrim: Wicklow v Antrim
Tullamore: Offaly v Westmeath

Division 2B
Nenagh: Tipperary v Longford
Dungarvan: Waterford v Carlow
Ennis: Clare v Monaghan



SEE ALSO
Murray hit with 12-week ban
21 Mar 03 |  Northern Ireland
Key duo back for Tyrone
21 Mar 03 |  Northern Ireland
Fermanagh include McCloskey
21 Mar 03 |  Northern Ireland

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