Fitzmaurice reshuffles as Kerry renew rivalries with Dublin
There are debuts for Rathmore’s Paul Murphy and Kenmare’s Steven O’Brien, while an injury to Bryan Sheehan has presented Michael Geaney with a berth at centre-forward.
None of the named Kerry team have started in an All-Ireland winning side, only captain Donnchadh Walsh, midfielder Anthony Maher and goalkeeper Brendan Kealy beginning the 2011 final defeat to Dublin.
The side shows four changes to the team that lost to Cork in last Sunday week’s Walsh Cup final with Sheehan, Brian Kelly, Paul Geaney and Alan Fitzgerald making way for Brian McGuire, Kealy, James O’Donoghue and O’Brien.
Mayo include eight of the team that lost last year’s All-Ireland final for their opener away to Kildare on Sunday.
Aghamore’s Brendan Harrison and Mayo Gaels’ Adam Gallagher are handed league debuts. Tom Parsons has an opportunity to stake a permanent spot in midfield with Aidan O’Shea.
Andy Moran will continue as captain while Cillian O’Connor and Lee Keegan are named joint vice-captains.
Mickey Harte goes with four debutants for Tyrone’s trip to Celtic Park tomorrow evening, Shay McGuigan becoming the fourth in his family to play in the league after his father Frank and older brothers Brian and Tommy.
In all, just five of the side that went down to Mayo in last August’s All-Ireland semi-final are selected.
Derry midfielder Fergal Doherty’s returns to inter-county football after a four-year hiatus.
Michael Brosnan and Eoin Hanrahan get their first league starts for Limerick when they face Sligo on Sunday.
KERRY (NFL v Dublin): B Kealy (Kilcummin); P Murphy (Rathmore), M Griffin (St Michael’s-Foilmore), S Enright (Tarbert); P Crowley (Laune Rgs), B McGuire (Emmets), J Sherwood (Firies); A Maher (Duagh), D Moran (K O’Rahillys); J Lyne (Legion), M Geaney (Dingle), D Walsh (Cromane); B J Keane (K O’Rahillys), J O’Donoghue (Legion), S O’Brien (Kenmare).
MAYO (NFL v Kildare): R Hennelly; K Keane, G Cafferkey, C Boyle; L Keegan, S McHale, B Harrison; T Parsons, A O’Shea; C Carolan, K Higgins, A Gallagher; K McLoughlin, A Moran, D Coen.
DERRY (NFL v Tyrone): T Mallon; D Brown, C McKaigue, D McBride; A McAlynn, M Lynch, SL McGoldrick; F Doherty, P Bradley; G O’Kane, J Kielt, E Lynn; C McFaul, E McGuckin, B Heron.
TYRONE (NFL v Derry): N Morgan; A McCrory, C Clarke, B Tierney; C McGinley, P Harte, R McNabb; D McBride, C Grugan; N McKenna, S McGuigan, PJ Lavery; D McCurry, M Donnelly, P McNeice.
ARMAGH (NFL v Louth): P McEvoy; P Hughes, C Vernon, M Murray; M Shields, A Mallon, R Gurgan; J Lavery, E Rafferty; S Campbell, J Hanratty, R Tasker; J Clarke, T Kernan, K Carragher.
LIMERICK (NFL v Sligo): B Scanlon; L O’Dwyer, P Browne, J McCarthy; I Corbett, M Sheahan, P Ranahan; T Lee, D Treacy; M Brosnan, E Hanrahan, S Buckley; S O’Carroll, G Collins, I Ryan.
ANTRIM (NFL v Leitrim): C Kerr; K O’Boyle, M Johnstone, J Crozier; T Scullion, M Sweeney, J Laverty; McMcCann, N McKeever; C Murray, M Pollock, P Kelly; P Cunningham, B Hasson, R McGrady.
