Published: Thursday, 29th July, 2010 5:55pm

O'Donnell keeps the faith as Rossies gear up for Cork clash

Roscommon manager Fergal O'Donnell has named an unchanged team for Sunday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Cork at Croke Park (2pm).

The Rossies produced their best display in years to record a stunning Connacht final victory over Sligo, so it's hardly surprising that the same starting fifteen has been selected for the showdown with the Rebels.

Goalkeeper Geoffrey Claffey and centre-forward David O'Gara have shaken off knee and back injuries respectively to take their place in the side.

Kevin Higgins, Colm Garvey, Jonathan Dunning (Clann na nGael) and Paul Garvey all saw action off the bench at McHale Park 10 days ago, but have been kept in reserve once again as the Rossies aim the produce another major shock on their eagerly-awaited return to Croke Park.

Sunday's match will be Roscommon's third appearance in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

In 2001, as is the case this year, Roscommon entered the quarter-finals as Connacht champions, but Galway overturned their earlier provincial championship defeat with a 0-14 to 1-5 victory.

In 2003, Roscommon lost to Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-finals on a scoreline of 1-21 to 3-11.

Interestingly, Roscommon defeated Cork in the 2003 qualifiers, 0-14 to 1-10, in a game which was played at Hyde Park.

Conor Counihan's first match in charge of Cork - following the players strike over the appointment of Teddy Owens as manager - was against Roscommon. This was played in Kiltoom in Division 2 of the 2008 NFL, with Cork winning on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-15.

Roscommon (SF v Cork): G Claffey (Castlerea); S McDermott (Western Gaels), P Domican (St Brigid's, captain), S Ormsby (St Faithleach's); S Purcell (Boyle), C Dineen (Castlerea), D Casey (Boyle); M Finneran (St Dominic's), K Mannion (St Brigid's); D Keenan (St Barry's), D O'Gara (Roscommon Gaels), C Cregg (Western Gaels); J Rogers (Strokestown), D Shine (Clann na nGael), G Heneghan (Castlerea).

Subs: Mark Miley (St Dominic's), John Dunning (Clann na nGael), Paul Garvey (Kilmore), Kevin Higgins (Western Gaels), John Nolan (Roscommon Gaels), Ian Kilbride St Brigid's), Ronan Brady (Elphin), Terence Kelly (St Aidan's), Enda Kenny Castlerea), Martin Reynolds (St Faithleach's), Darragh Hussey (St Faithleach's), Colm Garvey (Kilmore), Diarmuid Carney (Kilmore), Cathal Shine (Clann na nGael),Fintan Cregg (Elphin).