Sparkling show against Meath earns Walsh nod for Kerry

TOMMY WALSH was last night restored to the Kerry attack at full-forward for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC final against Cork in Croke Park.

The Kerins O’Rahilly’s attacker has been rewarded for a sparkling second-half display in the semi-final clash against Meath when he registered 1-2 after being introduced into the action.

Donncha Walsh, the player he replaced during that Meath match, is forced to make way in the only change manager Jack O’Connor has made to his starting side.

As a result there are two positional changes in attack, with Declan O’Sullivan switching out to centre-forward and Tadhg Kennelly moving to left half-forward.

The forward line was the major dilemma facing Jack O’Connor. It is understood the choice came down to two from the trio of Tommy Walsh, Donncha Walsh and Darran O’Sullivan. But the Kerins O’Rahilly’s man got the nod after what has been an indifferent summer. He was hampered by an ankle injury in the Munster championship against Cork and was withdrawn in the first-half in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin.

O’Sullivan’s inclusion ensures he will lead the side out as captain as he retains his left corner-forward spot.

There is no place for Kieran Donaghy, who has been dogged with injuries this summer, and he is forced to settle for a spot on the bench.

In all Kerry field 12 of the side that squared off against Cork in the Munster semi-final replay back in June. Pádraig Reidy, Aidan O’Mahony and Brian Sheehan are all now listed amongst the substitutes, with Mike McCarthy, Seamus Scanlon and Darran O’Sullivan part of the starting side.

The most notable positional change is that Tommy Griffin now starts at full-back, having played at midfield in that game back in June. Griffin is one of five new players in the Kerry starting side from the 15 that defeated Cork in the last All-Ireland final meeting between the counties in 2007.

Mike McCarthy is the other new player included in defence, with the attack bolstered by the presence of Tadhg Kennelly, Tommy Walsh and Darran O’Sullivan. Kennelly is the only player in the Kerry starting side who will be making his All-Ireland senior final debut.

From that 2007 side Pádraig Reidy, Aidan O’Mahony, Kieran Donaghy and Brian Sheehan have now all dropped to the bench, while Eoin Brosnan is no longer involved in the panel.