Oisin McConville will be a substitute in the game at Clones

All-Ireland Champions Armagh will not have full-forward Oisin McConville in their starting line-up as they launch their title defence against Monaghan on Sunday (1615 BST).

Manager Joe Kernan has decided not to risk McConville who has been troubled by a hamstring injury and his place in the Armagh attack goes to Barry O'Hagan.

However, skipper Kieran McGeeney, last year's GAA player of the year, has recovered from a similar hamstring strain and will lead the Orchard County in the Ulster Championship opener at Clones.

Enda McNulty is definitely out of the game because of a shoulder injury and could miss Armagh's next match either against Down or in the first round of the qualifiers.

It was initially thought that McNulty would be out for around a month but medical experts now reckon his recovery could take up to 12 weeks.

Andy Mallon of the Pearse Og club replaces McNulty and is one of two Armagh players making their bow in the Championship. The other is goalkeeper Paul Hearty who has taken over from the retired Benny Tierney.

Ronan Clarke, a lengthy absentee because of a hip problem, could play some part in Sunday's game.

Last season's young footballer of the year is back in full training following the operation in March.

Armagh: P Hearty; A Mallon, J McNulty, F Bellew; A O'Rourke, K McGeeney, A McCann; J Toal, P McGrane; P McKeever, J McEntee, T McEntee; S McDonnell, B O'Hagan, D Marsden.