So just seven Kerry players that lined up for last summer's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Dublin will start tomorrow night's Allianz Football League rematch in Croke Park, although there will be a shadowy feel to both selections.
No Colm "Gooch" Cooper, no Darran or Declan O'Sullivan, and of course no Tomás Ó Sé – and that's just for starters. Manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice is also without the injured Kieran Donaghy, Killian Young and Bryan Sheehan, while naming Paul Galvin and Aidan O'Mahony among the substitutes.
That allows for the introduction of two senior debutants – corner back Paul Murphy from Rathmore, and corner forward Stephen O’Brien from Kenmare, both of whom featured in the McGrath Cup. Dublin, however, will also be without at least half of their All-Ireland winning line-up.
The involvement of Dr Crokes in next month’s All-Ireland club semi-final ruled out Cooper, along with midfielder Johnny Buckley and defender Fionn Fitzgerald. Marc Ó Sé and Declan O’Sullivan are on extended season breaks, with Murphy coming in for Ó Sé at right corner back, while Peter Crowley moves from centre back to right wing back to replace the retired Tomás Ó Sé. Brian McGuire and Jack Sherwood also come into the defence, with David Moran now partnering Anthony Maher in midfield, while Jonathan Lyne and Michael Geaney take over from Galvin and Cooper.
Galvin was expected to be named at centre back, having played a couple of cameo roles there in the McGrath Cup: however Fitzmaurice has indicated that experiment is set to continue, with Galvin likely to be introduced at some stage tomorrow night: “It’s just experimenting with things,” said Fitzmaurice, “and it’s just giving Paul something new to look forward to at the moment.
Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo have gone one better and named eight players from the team that lined up against Dublin last September for Sunday's opening Division One game in Newbridge against Kildare. It has also been confirmed that forward Andy Moran will once again captain the team, with Lee Keegan and Cillian O'Connor the joint vice-captains.
Manager James Horan has also included two senior debutants in Brendan Harrison, at left wing back, and Adam Gallagher at left wing forward. Castlebar club commitments also ruled out some players.
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has included four league debutants for tomorrow night’s league opener against Derry at Celtic Park, with defender Barry Tierney, midfielder Conan Grugan and forwards Shay McGuigan and PJ Lavery all given their chance to impress.
McGuigan is the fourth family member to play league football Tyrone, following All-Ireland winners Frank, Brian and Tommy.
Five-time All-Star winner Seán Cavanagh, named the 2014 captain, taking over the role from Stephen O’Neill, won’t start due to injury, nor will the McMahon brothers, Joe and Justin. Opponents Down have switched captain Mark Lynch, who played in midfield in the McKenna Cup, to centre back, with Fergal Doherty and Patsy Bradley now their midfield pairing.
The Munster Post-Primary competitions committee have decided that a replay is to take place in the Corn Ui Mhuirí quarter-final between Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne and Coláiste Chríost Rí, after investigating a black card incident in the drawn game. The match referee failed to send off Corca Dhuibhne player Barra Ó Súilleabháin, after he was shown a black card after being given a yellow card, and instead allowed him to be substituted.
KERRY (SF v Dublin): B Kealy; P Murphy, M Griffin, S Enright; P Crowley, B McGuire, J Sherwood; A Maher, D Moran; J Lyne, M Geaney, D Walsh; B John Keane, J O'Donoghue, S O'Brien.
MAYO (SF v Kildare): R Hennelly; K Keane, G Cafferkey, C Boyle; L Keegan , S McHale, B Harrison; T Parsons, A O'Shea; C Carolan, K Higgins, A Gallagher; K McLoughlin, A Moran (capt), D Coen.
TYRONE (SF v Derry): N Morgan, A McCrory, C Clarke, B Tierney, C McGinley, P Harte, R McNabb, D McBride, C Grugan, N McKenna, S McGuigan, PJ Lavery, D McCurry, M Donnelly, P McNeice.
DERRY (SF v Tyrone): T Mallon, D Brown, C McKaigue, D McBride, A McAlynn, M Lynch, S L McGoldrick, F Doherty, P Bradley, G O'Kane, J Kielt, E Lynn, C McFaul, E McGuckin, B Heron.
MONAGHAN (SF v Down): R Beggan; F Kelly, D Wylie, R Wylie; C Walshe, D Mone, C Boyle; G Doogan, P Finlay; P Keenan, S Gollogly, T Kerr; J McCarron, C McGuinness, D Malone.
WESTMEATH (SF v Cork): D Quinn; S Gilmore, K Maguire, D Dolan; J Dolan, J Gilligan, J Gonoud; D Duffy, D Corroon; G Egan, J Egan, P Sharry (capt); K Martin, J Heslin, A Giles.
