RIAN O’Neill will miss Armagh’s All-Ireland Group One, round one opener against Westmeath at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday (6pm).
The Crossmaglen Rangers midfielder limped off deep into extra-time in the Ulster final against Donegal and hasn’t been included in the squad for this weekend’s game.
Clann Eireann clubman Tiernan Kelly replaces him in midfield alongside Ben Crealey while Conor O’Neill comes in for Greg McCabe in the other change to the starting line-up.
Oisin O’Neill, impressive in a substitute appearance against Donegal, is once again named on the bench and so too is Aidan Nugent who made a crucial impact in cameo appearances against Down and Donegal. Madden midfielder Niall Grimley returns to the squad for what is a repeat of last year’s opener in which the Orchardmen laboured to a one-point win thanks to a late goal from Conor Turbitt.
Armagh: B Hughes; P Burns, A McKay, P McGrane, C O’Neill, C Mackin, A Forker; T Kelly, B Crealey; J McElroy, R Grugan, S Campbell; O Conaty, A Murnin, C Turbitt
Subs: E Rafferty, B McCambridge Connaire Mackin, G McCabe, N Grimley, O O’Neill, S McPartlan, R McQuillan, J Og Burns, A Nugent, J Duffy
