Depleted Kerry set to call on reserves
David Maloney returning in goals, Tomás Ó Sé, Daniel Bohane and impressive newcomer Fionn Fitzgerald in the full-back line. Jack Sherwood, Eoin Brosnan and Donncha Walsh at half back. Johnny Buckley and David Moran in midfield. Paul Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan and Kieran O’Leary as half-forwards, with Colm Cooper, Kieran Donaghy and Paul Geaney up top.
Trouble is, these are the players new coach Eamonn Fitzmaurice must do without on Sunday in their League opener. When Kerry name their team today, he will be short a full team for a variety of reasons — ranging from injury to honeymoon to club commitments (with Dr Crokes) to a phased return for veterans like Tomás Ó Sé, Paul Galvin and Declan O’Sullivan.
It presents a big opportunity for some of the younger panellists looking to stake a claim, but two of the most impressive of those, Firies defender Sherwood and Dingle attacker Paul Geaney look set to miss out with injuries picked up this week.
Sherwood, who has impressed management at centre back recently, limped out of last weekend’s McGrath Cup final win over Tipperary and could miss the first two League games, while Paul Geaney injured a hamstring in UCC’s Sigerson Cup victory over UUJ last Tuesday.
Injuries to three Mayo All Stars means that James Horan is not expected to reveal his starting team until tomorrow.
Alan Dillon is almost certain to sit the match out due to a leg muscle injury while Keith Higgins and Ger Cafferkey are facing a race against time to be ready.
Higgins, who is also a member of the Mayo senior hurling panel again this year, is recovering from an accidental collision at training last weekend which left him with a badly bruised eye and requiring stitches.
Cafferkey, last year’s All Star full-back, aggravated a quad injury in the county’s last FBD League match against Roscommon two weeks ago.
Back-to-back Young Footballer of the Year, Cillian O’Connor, is definitely out of contention as he has not yet recovered from the dislocated shoulder he suffered four months ago in a club game.
Newcomer Keith Rogers, Shane McHale and Tom Cunniffe, who hasn’t played for Mayo since the 2011 All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Kerry, are all in line to be promoted to the first 15 if needed.
Mayo will play four of their seven league matches on home ground at McHale Park, Castlebar so Horan knows the importance of getting points on the board.
“You always want to win your home games. We’re familiar with the surroundings, it’s our home patch, and we’re hoping to hit the ground running.”
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