Gilroy says players will be be picked on form, not reputation

DUBLIN boss Pat Gilroy insists there’s no guarantee any of the county’s big-name players will force their way back into his team between now and the start of the championship.

The Dublin selection that plays Mayo tomorrow includes just three survivors from the side that lost last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, and Gilroy intends to stick with the youngsters who’ve won four on the bounce.

“Last year is gone, it’s history,” said Gilroy. “Whoever is playing well now are the ones who’ll keep the jersey.

“If the guys who have yet to come back prove they’re still good enough to push these guys for places then great, but at the moment you couldn’t justify leaving out any of the lads who are currently playing in the team.”

Those currently in possession of a jersey know they can’t afford to let their standards slip as, according to Gilroy, veterans like Alan Brogan, Bryan Cullen and Paul Griffin have responded to the intense competition.

“Alan is very close to pushing those fellas for a starting place with the way he’s playing,” admits Gilroy.

“He was late starting back because of his honeymoon and then a slight injury but he’s in great form now and he’s very close to a starting position. Bryan Cullen is the exact same – they’re both pushing hard. Paul Griffin will definitely play some part in the league. He’s well progressed in his comeback. He’s played a full club match and a couple of our training matches so he’s getting very close.”

A fifth league win in a row might secure Dublin’s place in the decider with a couple of matches to spare, provided other results go their way, but Gilroy is expecting a serious challenge from visitors Mayo.

“Mayo are (a) bit unlucky to have as few league points as they have. They seem to have played very well for 50 or 60 minutes in most matches. They’re playing well and seem to be getting their confidence back. Last year in the league they were one of the strongest teams we played and I really don’t know what happened them afterwards in the league final and the championship.”

Dublin have made three changes for tomorrow’s match as Michael Savage comes in for Stephen Cluxton and Paul Brogan and Darragh Nelson replace injured duo Ross O’Carroll and Declan Lally respectively.

Meanwhile there was bad news for Carlow hurlers in their appeals to the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC). Eddie Byrne and Craig Doyle failed to get their red cards against Kerry overturned and the latter received a four-week suspension.

There was poor timing for Dublin’s Kevin Nolan who was told his second yellow for Kilmacud Crokes against Crossmaglen was unwarranted while Crossmaglen selector Gerry O’Neill accepted his charge of player interference and was banned for eight weeks.

Offaly selector Brendan Kelly accepted his charge of abusive language towards a referee and received an eight-week suspension while Brian Mulrooney lost his striking appeal and was banned for four weeks.

DUBLIN (SF v Mayo): M Savage; D Daly, S Murray, P Brogan; P Casey, G Brennan, D Nelson; D Bastick, B Cahill; P Flynn, K McManamon, M Darragh Macauley; T Quinn, D Connolly, B Brogan.

MAYO (SF v Dublin): R Hennelly; T Cunniffe, C Barrett, K Higgins; R Feeney, G Cafferkey, K McLoughlin; R McGarrity, J Killcullen; A Campbell, A Dillon, A Moran; A O’Shea, A Freeman, J Doherty.

MONAGHAN (SF v Down): M Keogh; K Duffy, V Corey, C Walshe; N McAdam, D Mone, D Hughes; D Clerkin, O Lennon; C McGuinness, M Downey, J Turley; T Freeman, P Finlay, C McManus.