A repeat of last year’s League final takes place this weekend.
Rivals Dublin and Kerry will do battle in Croke Park at 4.00 on Sunday in one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of this year’s National League to date.
Jim Gavin’s all conquering Dubs have been frighteningly business-like in this campaign so far, winning four of their four games comfortably without ever looking troubled.
That’s why they go into this one as hot favourites.
With corner back Michael Fitzsimons ruled out through suspension, Eric Lowndes comes into the side.
Paddy Andrews and Colm Basquel are also named to start, while Cian O’Sullivan will make his first start of the year at centre back in a team that shows four changes from their clash with Mayo in Castlebar that took place a fortnight ago.
The inclusion of Basquel and Lowndes is bound to excite the Dublin faithful. These are two young players who have shown well to date but will be hungry to mark themselves out as legitimate contenders for a championship start this summer. These are the games that will define them.
Paul Mannion, Darren Daly and Kevin McManamon also drop to the bench, which also includes Diarmuid Connolly.
Kerry, on the other hand, have been struggling. Eamon Fitzmaurice’s men have looked vulnerable at the back. Their youthful, new look attacking unit have impressed at times but they haven’t been consistent enough to grind out the victories.
With only four points after four games, they’ll be eager to emerge from this one with a positive result.
Here’s how they line up.
Starting XV
1 Shane Murphy (Captain) Dr. Crokes
2 Shane Enright Tarbert
3 Jason Foley Ballydonoghue
4 Ronan Shanahan Austin Stacks
5 Paul Murphy Rathmore
6 Peter Crowley Laune Rangers
7 Brian Ó Beaglaoich An Ghaeltacht
8 Jack Barry Na Gaeil
9 Barry O’Sullivan Dingle
10 Micheál Burns Dr. Crokes
11 Séan O’Shea Kenmare
12 Adrian Spillane Templenoe
13 David Clifford Fossa
14 Paul Geaney Dingle
15 Kevin McCarthy Kilcummin
Substitutes:
16 Brian Kelly Killarney Legion
17 Barry John Keane Kerins O’Rahillys
18 Tom O’Sullivan Dingle
19 Éanna Ó Conchúir An Ghaeltacht
20 Matthew Flaherty Dingle
21 Dáithí Casey Dr. Crokes
22 Michael Geaney Dingle
23 Fionn Fitzgerald Dr. Crokes
24 Mark Griffin St. Michaels/Foilmore
25 Jack Savage Kerins O’Rahillys
26 David Moran Kerins O’Rahillys
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