Kerry move Ó Sé from defence to midfield

FOOTBALLER of the year Tomás Ó Sé has been presented with a fresh challenge ahead of Kerry's televised Allianz NFL clash with Dublin in Tralee tomorrow night.

Unhappy with the displays at midfield so far this season, the Kingdom selectors have decided to experiment with the dashing wing back alongside Kieran Donaghy in a new centre-field partnership for the visit of Paul Caffrey's side.

"It may be a bit of a risk," said Kerry coach Jack O'Connor last night. "But Tomás seems to have a lot of the necessary tools for midfield - mobility, strength, a good leap and a great engine. He is also an excellent link player," said the All-Ireland winning trainer.

Tomás Ó Sé's move is, ironically, to the exclusion of brother Darragh, and his regular midfield partner William Kirby. "We have been struggling at midfield this season, and we are just trying something different this time.

"In some ways we have been unfair on Darragh Ó Sé, who was out of football for five months with a foot injury. We expect Darragh to be able to pick up where he left off, but it isn't that easy, and he needs to find his match form. There is plenty of time for him, and he will also get a couple of club games under his belt in the weeks ahead," said O'Connor.

In defence, Allstar Tom O'Sullivan takes over at full-back from Aidan O'Mahony, who moves out to right half-back, but it is behind the scenes that things are beginning to gather momentum in Kerry.

"We have Mike McCarthy and Dara Ó Cinnéide back training with us, and Declan O'Sullivan is over his cartilage operation. He should resume light jogging next week, so things are slowly gelling back into place."

Another bonus has been the form of Ballylongford's Paddy Kelly, who again starts at centre-forward against Dublin. "He has an exceptional work rate and we are really pleased with his progress this season."

Tomorrow night's meeting with the Dubs will be Kerry's third successive game under floodlights, and when they make the long trek next week to Ballybofey to play Donegal, it will be their first competitive game in daylight hours - with the exception of the McGrath Cup - since the All-Ireland final last September.

"I'm not a huge fan of it, but we don't dictate these things. Personally I'd prefer to be playing in daylight," said the Kerry boss.

Westmeath have made three changes to meet Donegal from the team that lined out against Cork last time out when the spoils were shared.

Outstanding left half-back Derek Heavin returns after missing the Cork game because of a shoulder injury. Martin Flanagan now takes over the centre-forward position, while Alan Mangan replaces Joe Fallon at right corner-forward.

Laois, victors over Sligo last time out, have made two changes to meet Armagh at Portlaoise on Sunday.

Mark Dunne takes over the left half-forward position from Billy Sheehan, while Shane Cooke is preferred at top of the right in place of Chris Bergin.

Full-forward Michael O'Dwyer and right half-forward Enda Coughlan return to the Clare team for their meeting with Leitrim at Carrick-on -Shannon. Both missed out on the Banner's two opening games because of their involvement in Kilmurray/Ibrickane's unsuccessful quest for All-Ireland club glory.

Captain Ger Quinlan, who has a shoulder injury, was passed fit to play after a fitness test at training last night. Wexford make two changes from the side which defeated Kildare in their previous outing, for the visit of Limerick to Wexford Park on Sunday.

Wing-back Darragh Breen and corner-forward Darren Foran are ruled out with shoulder and leg injuries respectively, and are replaced by Robert Mageean and John Hegarty. Mageean is making his first appearance for the Slaneysiders.

Cavan manager Eamon Coleman has left two vacancies on his team at centre-forward and right corner-forward for their league game against Derry, due to Míchéal Lyng being ruled out with a hamstring injury, Sean Brady with a broken arm, while Pierse McKenna and Sean Maguire are both suspended.

Sean Boylan won't name a Meath team for the game against Tipperary until tonight, but he will have Nigel Crawford back from suspension. Mark O'Reilly is troubled with a hamstring while Stephen Bray has a groin strain and both are doubtful.

Meanwhile, DJ Carey will make his first appearance for Kilkenny since last year's All-Ireland final when he plays in Sunday's senior hurling challenge against Tipperary in Thurles. The Young Ireland's (Gowran) attacker has been picked at left half-forward on what is largely a shadow side.

KERRY (SF v Dublin): D. Murphy; M. Ó Sé, T. O'Sullivan, M. Lyons; A. O'Mahony, E. Fitzmaurice, S. Moynihan; K. Donaghy, T. Ó Sé; P. Galvin, E. Brosnan, P. Kelly; D. Quill, R. O'Connor, C. Cooper.

WEXFORD (SF v Limerick): J. Cooper; C. Morris, P. Wallace, N. Murphy; R. Megeean, D. Murphy, S. Cullen; D. Kinsella, B. Doyle; D. Fogarty, P. Colfer, J. Hegarty; R. Barry, J. Hudson, M. Forde.

CAVAN (SF v Derry): J. Reilly; M. Hannon, C. Hannon, K. Fannin; P. Brady, P. Reilly, K. Crotty; P. Brady, N. Walsh; M. McKeever, AN Other, L. Reilly; AN Other, J. Reilly, A. Forde.

TYRONE (SF v Offaly): J. Devine, R. McMenamin, E. McGinely, M. McGee, C. Gormley, G. Devlin, B. Donnelly, B. Meenan, P. Donnelly, B. Dooher, S. O'Neill, S. Cavanagh, M. Coleman, O. Mulligan, C. McCullagh.

WESTMEATH (SF v Donegal): G. Connaughton; J. Davitt, D. O'Donoghue, J. Keane; M. Ennis, D. Healy, D. Heavin; R. O'Connell, J. Brennan; D. Mitchell, M. Fleming, E. Colligan; A. Mangan. D. Glennon, D. Dolan.

CLARE (SF v Leitrim): D. McInerney; P. Gallagher, D. Kelly, C. Whelan; D. Blake, B. Considine, M. O'Connell; David Russell, G. Quinlan; E. Coughlan, Denis Russell, M. O'Shea; A. Clohessy, M. O'Dwyer, R. Donnelly.

KILKENNY (SH challenge v Tipperary): P.J Ryan; M. Phelan, B. Hogan, T. Walsh; R. Mullally, S. Dowling, K. Coogan; B. Barry, C. Herity; J. Fitzpatrick, J. Maher, DJ Carey; J. Coogan, E. Brennan, A. Fogarty.

LOUTH (U21 FC v Carlow): S. McCoy; D. Finnegan, D. Mackin, A. Tinley; C. Sheridan, O. Zamboula, M. Fannin; J. Kermath, R. Carroll; J. O'Brien, S. Lennon, N. Gallagher; T. O'Brien, H. McGinn, P. Matthews.