‘Star’ ready to shine again

KIERAN DONAGHY makes his first appearance for Kerry in this year’s championship as the Kingdom take on Longford in the All-Ireland qualifier at Pearse Park, on Saturday.

The former All Star who broke a bone in his foot during the course of the National Football League final is selected in his customary full forward position with Jack O’Connor ringing the changes following his side’s comprehensive Munster final replay defeat by Cork.

Killian Young is switched from left half back to right full back and Tommy Griffin moves from midfield to full back with Tom O’Sullivan taking over the left corner back berth from Paudie Reidy.

With Aidan O’Mahony ruled out through injury Marc Ó Sé takes over the centre back position with Aidan O’Shea from Glenbeigh called up to make his senior championship debut at left half back.

Darragh Ó Sé and Seamus Scanlon renew their old midfield partnership with new team captain Donnacha Walsh and Sean O’Sullivan replacing the suspended Paul Galvin and the injured Tadgh Kennelly on the respective flanks of attack.

With Donaghy restored to the full forward position, Tommy Walsh moves into the left corner in place of Bryan Sheehan.

Manager Seán Dempsey has also made sweeping changes as Laois prepare for the daunting trip to Down for Saturday night’s All-Ireland SFC second round qualifier. Dempsey was appalled by the manner of his side’s collapse against Kildare having started so well and has dropped five players as a result.

The biggest casualty is team captain Brian McCormack, and he is joined on the subs bench by Darren Rooney, Ger Reddin, Billy Sheehan and Donie Kingston.

Aidan Fennelly and Niall Donoher come into the half-back line, with John O’Loughlin switching to centre-back.

It will be Donoher’s first championship start.

Craig Rogers, Peter O’Leary and Colm Coss all come into the attack, with Coss making his championship debut and Rogers his first start.

Rogers is handed McCormack’s centre-forward slot. O’Leary will start at left corner-forward while Coss will line out at full-forward. Ross Munnelly is switched to left half-forward.

KERRY (SFC v Longford): D Murphy; K Young, T Griffin, T O’Sullivan; T Ó Sé, M Ó Sé, A O’Shea; D, Ó Sé, S Scanlon; D Walsh, D O’Sullivan, S O’Sullivan; C Cooper, K Donaghy, T Walsh.

LAOIS (SFC v Down): M Nolan; C Ryan, M Timmons, R Stapleton; A Fennelly, J O’Loughlin, N Donoher; P Clancy, K Meaney; B Quigley, C Rogers, R Munnelly; MJ Tierney, C Coss, P O’Leary.

DONEGAL (SFC v Clare): P Durcan; F Mc Glynn, N McGee, K Lacey; B Dunnion, E Mc Gee, M Maguire; C Toye, K Cassidy; R Kavanagh (capt), L McLoone, D Walsh; C Dunne, M Murphy, S Griffin.