Donaghy returns to Kerry side for Cavan clash

Forward takes place of the injured James O’Donoghue for quarter-final clash

Kieran Donaghy returns to the Kerry team in place of the injured James O’Donoghue for the quarter-final against Cavan on Sunday. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho
Kieran Donaghy returns to the Kerry team in place of the injured James O’Donoghue for the quarter-final against Cavan on Sunday. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho

Kieran Donaghy, dropped by Eamonn Fitzmaurice for the Munster final victory over Cork earlier this month, has been recalled to the Kerry full forward line for Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final against Cavan.

It’s partially on merit, having played well when coming in to the side that day, but James O’Donoghue misses out due to a hamstring injury. O’Donoghue clipped over 0-3 against Cork and was expected to retain his place.

Fitzmaurice's only other change sees Fionn Fitzgerald at right corner back instead of Mark Griffin.

Otherwise, it is a familiar looking Kerry outfit with 11 of the side that took the field at this stage last summer. That was the end of the road for Jack O’Connor’s Kerry as Donegal knocked them out of the championship.

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Johnny Buckley and Darran O'Sullivan came off the bench that day with Buckley in midfield now alongside Anthony Maher while O'Sullivan joins Donaghy and Declan O'Sullivan in a potent looking full forward line.

Colm Cooper continues his remodelled role as a play-making centre forward. Legion's Jonathan Lynn was not considered due to injury.

This game will mark Tomás Ó Sé’s 87th championship outing. The 35-year-old has registered 3-35, mostly from wing back, since first coming on the scene in 1998.

Fellow veterans held in reserve are Eoin Brosnan, Bryan Sheehan and Aidan O'Mahony.

Kerry (SFC v Cavan): B Kealy; F Fitzgerald, M Ó Sé, S Enright; T Ó Sé, K Young, P Crowley; A Maher, J Buckley; P Galvin, C Cooper, D Walsh; Declan O’Sullivan, K Donaghy, Darran O’Sullivan.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent