White restored as Keane plots downfall of Dublin’s drive for five

KERRY skipper Gavin White has been restored to the starting 15 as Kingdom boss Peter Keane bids to thwart Dublin’s historic All-Ireland SFC five-in-a-row attempt in Croke Park tomorrow (3.30).

White is the only Kerry change, having not started their All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Tyrone due to illness, and he replaces Shane Enright at wing-forward in what will be the 22-year-old’s first intercounty meeting with the Dubs.

Despite making a telling contribution when sprung from the bench against Tyrone, towering attacker Tommy Walsh has been kept in reserve along with Jack Barry, who is tipped to feature during the latter stages of the final having overcome injury.

Former Footballer of the Year James O’Donoghue is also expected to make the bench after proving his fitness, although the substitutes haven’t yet been confirmed.

With Jim Gavin’s men undefeated against all-comers in championship action since a shock All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Donegal five years ago, they are hot favourites to seal their place in GAA folklore having barely broken a sweat en route to their seventh final in nine seasons.

Gavin will name his team today – although his selections regularly change before throw-in – with Cian O’Sullivan expected to be the biggest loser as the Dublin boss keeps faith with the same side that produced a blistering 12-minute semi-final burst to obliterate Mayo.

Philly McMahon is also expected to miss out with Diarmuid Connolly also likely be named on the bench.

KERRY – S Ryan; J Foley, T Morley, T O’Sullivan; P Murphy, G Crowley, B Ó Beaglaoich; D Moran, A Spillane; G White (c), S O’Shea, S O’Brien; D Clifford, P Geaney, K Spillane.