Decorated Dublin trio on bench as Ryan rings the changes
Dessie Farrell has announced his first match-day squad of the 2024 championship, with most interest focusing on the stellar names listed among the subs.
Farrell’s potential bench press against Meath includes all three players who won a record ninth Celtic Cross last July: ’keeper Stephen Cluxton, defender Mick Fitzsimons and skipper James McCarthy.
None of this decorated trio was involved in the recent Allianz League final thriller with Derry, but their inclusion here is bound to fuel speculation that one – or more – might yet be parachuted in for tomorrow’s Leinster SFC quarter-final in Croke Park.
On paper, the reigning All-Ireland champions have made just one enforced alteration from the team that started that pulsating Division 1 final, eventually won by Derry in a penalty shoot-out.
With Brian Fenton suspended after his unsuccessful foray to the Central Hearings Committee earlier this week, the six-time All-Star is indirectly replaced by Paddy Small.
Killian McGinnis, the 23-year-old Skerries Harps player who impressed against Derry last day out, is earmarked to make his SF C debut at centre-forward.
In total, seven of the team that started against Kerry last July are named in the first 15: Eoin Murchan, Brian Howard, John and Paddy Small, Kilkenny, Con O’Callaghan and Colm Basquel. Lee Gannon, absent through injury of late, is not in the 26.
Daunting
Colm O’Rourke has announced an unchanged Meath line-up for the daunting date with the Dubs. Even O’Rourke’s 11-strong bench is identical to the one that featured for last weekend’s victory over Longford.
Nathan Poland is the surprise inclusion on the Offaly team to face local rivals Laois in Portlaoise this evening. The Erin Rovers man is named at full-forward, with Cathal Flynn held in reserve.
Glenn Ryan has rung the changes as he desperately searches for that elusive winning formula to keep Kildare in contention for a Sam Maguire place.
The embattled Lilywhites boss has announced a team showing five changes for tomorrow’s Leinster SFC quarter-final against Wicklow in Portlaoise.
In come Ryan Burke and Jack Sargent in defence; the fit-again duo of Kevin Flynn at midfield and Niall Kelly at centre-forward; as well as key target man Darragh Kirwan who, coming back from injury, played a cameo role against Louth three weeks ago.
The five players dropping to the bench are Ryan Houlihan, Brian Byrne, Luke Killian, Shane O’Sullivan and Paddy Woodgate.
Kieran McGeeney has recalled two of his high-profile stars as Armagh open their Ulster SFC campaign away to Fermanagh tomorrow.
Rian O’Neill and Stefan Campbell, who came off the bench during the second half of their Division 2 final defeat to Donegal in Croke Park, are listed to start in Brewster Park. O’Neill is named at midfield with Campbell at right half-forward.