Kerry roll out out all their big guns for Tyrone game

Tiernan McCann takes place in Tyrone side after proposed eight-week ban dropped

James O’Donoghue has been named in Kerry’s full forward line for the All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Tyrone at Croke Park. Photograph:  Ryan Byrne/Inpho
James O’Donoghue has been named in Kerry’s full forward line for the All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Tyrone at Croke Park. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice is in a position to roll out all of his big guns for Sunday's All-Ireland football semi-final against Tyrone at Croke Park. Despite injury concerns about captain Kieran Donaghy and James O'Donoghue both are named in the full forward line along with Colm Cooper.

If the team plays as selected it will be the first time in three years that the players – all Footballers of the Year – have lined out in the full forward line since Kerry’s defeat by Donegal in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

Donaghy returns after missing the last match in place of Paul Geaney. All told there are three changes to the side that put seven goals past Kildare in the All-Ireland quarter-final. All Star defender Peter Crowley returns to the team instead of Aidan O'Mahony and Johnny Buckley comes in for Bryan Sheehan.

Tyrone meanwhile make one change in their announced team. Justin McMahon comes in at centre back for his brother Joe, who despite injuring himself against in the quarter-final is named on the bench, whereas Tiernan McCann, after a fortnight’s controversy over his diving episode against Monaghan, is again named at wing forward.

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KERRY (SFC v Tyrone): Brendan Kealy; Paul Murphy, Marc Ó Sé, Shane Enright; Jonathan Lyne, Peter Crowley, Killian Young; Anthony Maher, David Moran; Stephen O'Brien, Johnny Buckley, Donnchadh Walsh; Colm Cooper, Kieran Donaghy (capt), James O'Donoghue.

Subs: Brian Kelly, Aidan O'Mahony, Bryan Sheehan, Paul Geaney, Barry John Keane, Darran O'Sullivan, Fionn Fitzgerald, Paul Galvin, Tommy Walsh, Pa Kilkenny, Alan Fitzgerald.

TYRONE (SFC): Niall Morgan; Aidan McCrory, Ronan McNamee, Cathal McCarron; Ronan McNabb, Justin McMahon, Peter Harte; Colm Cavanagh, Matthew Donnelly; Tiernan McCann, Mark Bradley, Conor Meyler; Darren McCurry, Seán Cavanagh (capt.), Connor McAliskey.

Subs: Michael O'Neill, Lee Brennan, Rory Brennan, Conor Clarke, Richard Donnelly, Danny McBride, Conall McCann, Joe McMahon, Pádraig McNulty, Ronan O'Neill, Barry Tierney.

LIMERICK (U21 HC v Galway): D McCarthy; S Finn, R English, M Casey; D Byrnes (capt.), B O'Connell, G Hegarty; D O'Donovan, P Ryan; R Lynch, C Lynch, D Dempsey; C Ryan, T Morrissey, B Nash.

Subs: E McNamara, M O'Callaghan, S Flanagan, A La Touche Cosgrave, J Killiher, J Quaid, D Coleman, K O'Brien, P Casey.

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times