Kerry won’t take risk with Colm Cooper

Five members of the Kerry team to start last year’s All-Ireland final will sit out Saturday’s rematch against Dublin through injury, manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice revealed last night.

Colm Cooper, who underwent minor shoulder surgery before Christmas, had been expected to feature for Kerry’s opening league fixture, but Fitzmaurice has ruled the 32-year old out of the equation for the trip to Croke Park. Aidan O’Mahony is another who won’t be travelling, the Kerry defender sidelined with an eye injury.

Further confirmed absentees this weekend include Marc Ó Sé, Kieran Donaghy (basketball) and Bryan Sheehan (club). Long-term casualties Anthony Maher (hip), James O’Donoghue (shoulder), Paul Geaney (back), Kieran O’Leary (Achilles), and Mikey Geaney (back) are not forecast to return until March; early April the target for O’Donoghue.