Walsh makes four changes for Sligo
Sligo manager Kevin Walsh has announced his team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier against Wicklow in Aughrim (throw-in 5pm).
There are four changes in personnel and five positional switches to the side that suffered a surprise defeat to Leitrim in the Connacht Championship last month.
Brian Kennedy from Tourlestrane will make his Championship debut at centre-back, replacing the suspended Brian Curran. A fully-fit Noel McGuire also returns at full-back.
Former All-Star Eamonn O'Hara has been named at midfield, but is expected to be given licence to roam with Tony Taylor dropping back from full-forward.
Mark Breheny, who scored 0-2 as a substitute against Leitrim, comes back into the side at centre-forward and Brendan Egan is another new inclusion in an attack which includes the versatile David Rooney.
Alan Costello is one of the players to make way - he is unavailable due to the retrospective one-match suspension he received for a remark made to referee Joe Curley after the loss to Leitrim.
Kenneth Sweeney, meanwhile, has travelled to London and will miss the rest of Sligo's season. Johnny Davey and Colm McGee, despite making good progress with their injuries, have been kept in reserve.
This will be Sligo's first Championship encounter with Wicklow. The counties clashed in Division 4 of the Allianz League in April 2009 when the Yeats men recorded a one-point win (0-11 to 0-10).
Walsh and his players had a 'clear the air' meeting in the aftermath of the Leitrim game, and captain Charlie Harrison is demanding a much-improved display from his side.
"We've analysed and assessed what went wrong that day but now it's time to move on. The players were hurt after the Leitrim performance and we all realise that we've got to stand up and be counted now. It's up to us to show responsibility and leadership on the pitch," he told the Sligo Champion.
"After the season we've had (being relegated from Division 2 and exiting the Connacht Championship), it's understandable that some people are writing us off but as a group we still have great ambition.
"We've put in a massive amount of work since Kevin Walsh took over three years ago and all that will count for nothing if we lose to Wicklow. We're aware of that so we certainly won't lack motivation in Aughrim."
SLIGO (SFC v Wicklow): Philip Greene; Charlie Harrison (capt), Noel McGuire, Ross Donovan; Paul McGovern, Brian Kennedy, Neil Ewing; Eamonn O'Hara, Stephen Gilmartin; Brendan Egan, Mark Breheny, David Rooney; Stephen Coen, Tony Taylor, Adrian Marren.
