Louth and Dublin name their teams for Leinster Final

As we get closer to the biggest occasion Louth GAA has been involved in for some time, anticipation is at fever pitch across the Wee County at the prospect of the Delaney Cup returning home for the first time since 1957.

Today we got our first clues to what might happen, as Mickey Harte and Dessie Farrell have announced their panels for Sunday's Leinster Final in Croke Park (Throw in 1:45PM).

The Louth side sees a lot of changes in attack, with Paul Matthews, Ciaran Keenan and Dylan McKeown all missing out, having lined out from the start against Offaly.

They are replaced in the 15 by Daire McConnon and Liam Jackson, while Conal McKeever reverts back into the half forward line having lined out at wing back last time out. 

That change means there is now room in the defence for Peter Lynch, who after featuring as an early second half substitute for Ciaran Murphy against the Faithful County looks set to line out once more at full back. A position he made his own throughout much of the league.

All three players to have missed out have the consolation of making the bench for the game in HQ. And there would seem to be plenty in reserve should Harte and Co require them. One being Craig Lennon, who has often landed a big blow when called upon to make an impact.

Looking to Louth's opponents, they make just one change to the team which narrowly got over the line against Kildare in the Leinster Semi-Final. Cormac Costello returns at the expense of Ross McGarry.

There is a slight reshuffle in defence with John Small named at centre half back having played at corner back against the Lilywhites, with Cian Murphy reverting into the corner.

Costello looks set to start at corner forward, with the position left by McGarry at 10 being filled by Basquel.

In reserve they have plenty of All Ireland winners to call upon, with the likes of Dean Rock, Brian Howard, Jack McCaffrey and Niall Scully named on the bench and available should they be required. 

Of course positions these days can often mean little, so expect some changes to the starting positions once the battle lines are officially drawn on Sunday afternoon. 

LEINSTER FINAL LINEUPS

Louth: James Califf; Dan Corcoran, Peter Lynch, Donal McKenny; Leonard Grey, Niall Sharkey, Ciaran Murphy; Tommy Durnin, Conor Early; Conall McKeever, Sam Mulroy, Conor Grimes; Daire McConnon, Ciaran Downey, Liam Jackson.

Substitutes: Peter McStravick, Ryan Burns, Dermot Campbell, Bevan Duffy, Ciaran Keenan, Craig Lennon, Conal McCaul, Oisin McGuinness, Dylan McKeown, Paul Mattthews, Anthony Williams.

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Daire Newcombe, David Byrne, Cian Murphy; Lee Gannon, John Small, Tom Lahiff; Brian Fenton, James McCarthy; Colm Basquel, Sean Bugler, Ciaran Kilkenny; Paul Mannion, Con O'Callaghan, Cormac Costello.

Subs: David O'Hanlon, Craig Dias, Brian Howard, Sean McMahon, Jack McCaffery, Greg McEneaney, Ross McGarry, Lorcan O'Dell, Dean Rock, Niall Scully, Paddy Small.