Injuries force host of Kerry changes for Tyrone game
The Kingdom defence will be without the injured trio of Séamus Moynihan, Michael McCarthy, and Barry O’Shea and as a result the back-line has been realigned by the management team.
An Ghaeltacht’s Tomás Ó Sé is moved from his usual wing position and has now been entrusted with the problematic full back position, while Eamonn Fitzmaurice has been selected at centre back, where he will be flanked by Tom O’Sullivan and John Sheehan. Liam Hassett, who has returned from his honeymoon is included at right half forward, while Colm Cooper freed from suspension takes over his customary left corner forward position. The promising young Declan O'Sullivan fills the full forward spot in the absence of the injured Dara Cinnéide.
Cormac McAnallen will make his first start of the season for Tyrone in Sunday’s clash. With Ryan Mellon suspended and the versatility of Colin Holmes required as cover for injured full back Chris Lawn, McAnallen who has recovered from a knee injury has been drafted straight in to partner Sean Cavanagh at centrefield.
Sharpshooter Dessie Sloyan is expected to take his place on the Sligo team to play Fermanagh in Sunday’s crunch NFL tie at Markievicz Park.
Michael Reidy , who kick-started Limerick’s late revival against Offaly after he was introduced as substitute, starts at corner forward for Sunday’s crucial NFL Div 2A game against Louth, in Ardee.
Meanwhile, the dual player dilemma could yet play a decisive role in Wexford promotion prospects from Division 2B of the NFL ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Derry in Ballinascreen. Dual players Rory Mallon and Tomas Mahon have been retained by the hurling management for Sunday’s meeting with Limerick in Wexford Park.
Kildare introduce a completely new midfield partnership for the visit of Down to Newbridge in their Division 1B tussle.
Sarsfields’ Alan Barry gets his first inter-county start and is partnered by Mick Wright, who has started the last two games in the full forward position. Brian Lacey returns from suspension at right full back, with David Lyons moving to the half back line.
KERRY (SF v Tyrone): D O’Keeffe, M Ó Sé, T Ó Sé, M Lyons; T O'Sullivan, E Fitzmaurice, J Sheehan; D Ó'Sé, D Daly; L Hassett, E Brosnan, P Galvin; D Quill (Capt.), D. O'Sullivan, C Cooper
WEXFORD (SF v Derry): J. Cooper; C. Morris, A N Other, N. Murphy; A N Other, D. Murphy, L. O’Brien; R. Hassey, W. Carley; J. Hudson, D. Breen, M. Forde; P. Carley, P. Colfer, J. Hegarty.
LIMERICK (SF v Louth): S. O’Donnell; M. O’Riordan, D. Sheehy, T. Stack; S. Lavin, D. Reidy, P. Browne; J. Quane, J. Galvin; S. Kelly, M. Gavin, C. Mullane; J. Stokes; B. Begley, M. Reidy.
TYRONE (SF v Kerry): P McConnell; R Mc Menamin, C Holmes, M McGee; C Gormley, G Devlin, P Jordan; C McAnallen, S Cavanagh; S Mulgrew, B McGuigan, S O’Neill; B Dooher, P Canavan, O. Mulligan.
KILDARE (SF v Down) : C Byrne, B Lacey, R Quinn, A McLoughlin, D Lyons, D Hendy, A Rainbow, A Barry, M Wright, K Ennis, G Ryan, R Sweeney, T Fennin, D McCormack, J Doyle.
