Dias to make Dublin starting debut
Friday, February 03, 2012 - 07:36 AM
Kilmacud Crokes clubman Craig Dias will make his full senior debut for Dublin when they open their Allianz Football League campaign against Kerry tomorrow night (throw-in 7.15pm).
Dias will link up with James McCarthy and Ger Brennan in the Dubs' half-back line, as they look to repeat their All-Ireland final victory over the Kingdom at Croke Park.
There are eight survivors in the Dublin team from last September's famous 1-12 to 1-11 win, led by match winner and All-Star goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton.
Rory O'Carroll and Michael Fitzsimons remain in the full-back line where they are joined by Philly McMahon, while McCarthy, Brennan and midfielder Michael Dara Macauley have also been retained.
Macauley's centre-field partner will be Ross McConnell, with Bryan Cullen and Diarmuid Connolly starting in a rejigged attack which contains Kevin McManamon, the goal-scoring substitute in last year's All-Ireland decider.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that goalkeeper Shane Supple has left the Dublin panel after just a few weeks as a squad member.
Supple's sterling performances with St. Brigid's drew the attention of Dublin manager Pat Gilroy and he was invited to join the county set-up.
He started Dublin's Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup win over UCD recently, but has decided to drop out leaving Michael Savage as Cluxton's main rival for the number 1 jersey.
DUBLIN (AFL v Kerry): Stephen Cluxton; Michael Fitzsimons, Rory O'Carroll, Philly McMahon; James McCarthy, Ger Brennan, Craig Dias; Ross McConnell, Michael Dara Macauley; Paul Brogan, Kevin McManamon, Bryan Cullen; Diarmuid Connolly, Eoghan O'Gara, Tomas Quinn.