Jamie Clarke has been picked at centre-forward on the New York team to play Leitrim in Sunday's Connacht SFC quarter-final at Gaelic Park.

The former Armagh captain joined up with the Exiles earlier this year and will lead a formidable looking attack which also includes former Offaly panellist Luke Kelly, experienced Wexford campaigner Kevin O'Grady and ex-Meath player Dalton McDonagh.

Former Roscommon duo Neil Collins and Donal Ward feature in the full-back line, while Tom Cunniffe anchors the defence from centre-back.

Mayo man Cunniffe, goalkeeper Vinny Cadden and midfield partners David Culhane and Shane Hogan are the only survivors from the starting 15 that lined out against Sligo twelve months ago.

Longford native Enda Williams is another notable inclusion having previously played for Leitrim for two seasons and is also a part of the Exiles' backroom team as a coach.

Justin O'Halloran's squad warmed up for the visit of the Green and Golds with a 1-20 to 1-7 challenge match victory over All-Ireland club champions Corofin and will be quietly confident of claiming their first ever championship win (throw-in 7.15pm (2.15pm local time)).

Meanwhile, Clarke's Crossmaglen club-mate Aaron Cunningham is included in the substitutes' bench which also contains former captain Keith Scally, Longford's JJ Matthews and Daniel McKenna of Monaghan.

New York (Connacht SFC v Leitrim): Vinny Cadden; Neil Collins, Donal Ward, Colin Keane; Enda Williams, Tom Cunniffe, Matthew Queenan; David Culhane, Shane Hogan; Tony Donnelly, Jamie Clarke, Luke Kelly; Kevin O'Grady, Dalton McDonagh, David Freeman.

Subs: Kieran Fitzgibbons, John Collins, Mike Creegan, Kevin Connolly, Michael Boyle, Daniel McKenna, Aaron Cunningham, Paddy Boyle, Keith Scally, JJ Matthews, Conor Connolly.

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