Nostalgia won’t distract Dublin, says Declan Darcy

Dublin selector Declan Darcy has admitted they face a testing week to select their All-Ireland final team but insisted they won’t be clouded by ‘nostalgia’ when making the big calls.

Kevin McManamon, who scored crucial goals as a sub against Kerry in both the 2011 final and 2013 semi-final wins, is pushing hard for a starting spot after another crucial goal from the bench against Mayo in the semi-final replay last Saturday week. Former Footballer of the Year Michael Darragh Macauley was influential as a substitute that day too while Alan Brogan is another pushing hard to start.

Stephen Stack, the former Kerry defender, has suggested that both camps must ultimately ‘pick two teams’ based on who they want to start the game and who they want on the pitch in the final 10 minutes when the game will be decided. The situation has become even more complex for Dublin because of the hamstring injury suffered by centre-back Cian O’Sullivan which threatens to disrupt their entire defence.