Jimmy delays team amid selection dilemmas

Donegal boss Jim McGuinness has opted against publicly naming his starting side for tomorrow’s All-Ireland SFC against Kerry at Croke Park.

It’s assumed that 13 of side are automatic starts, with the other two places being the point of debate. Christy Toye’s introduction for David Walsh against Dublin in Donegal’s 3-14 to 0-17 win in the semi-final was seen by many as the game-changer after Jim Gavin’s side had opened up an early five-point lead.

The other main decision facing McGuinness is whether or not to use Rory Kavanagh from the start and keep Patrick McBrearty in reserve. Kavanagh provides experience in the middle third having represented the county 131 times since 2002. McBrearty, still only 21, has revelled in the role of impact sub this season, most notably when he kicked three points in the 0-15 to 1-9 Ulster final win over Monaghan and scored the winner in the 1-12 to 1-11 victory over Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-final. He scored two points against Dublin.

In all likelihood, Walsh, Toye, Kavanagh and McBrearty are all expected to feature at some stage tomorrow.

In his four seasons at the helm in the north-west, seven players have featured in each of McGuinness’s 23 championship outings – goalkeeper Paul Durcan, defenders Neil McGee, Anthony Thompson and Paddy McGrath, midfielder Martin McElhinney and forwards Colm McFadden and McBrearty. Lacey, the 2012 Footballer of the Year, is expected to make his 50th championship appearance against Kerry, a feat only bettered by McFadden (55) and Toye (52).

Interestingly, Neil McGee, who made his championship debut against Down back in 2006, has played in every championship match since then.

Tomorrow will be his 45th in succession.