Divilly to make Lilywhites debut

Former Galway defender John Divilly will make his competitive debut for his adopted county of Kildare in Sunday's O'Byrne Cup quarter-final against Laois.

The 28-year-old, who won an All-Ireland SFC medal with Galway in 1998, will line out at centre-back for new Lilywhites' boss John Crofton, whose reign begun with a heartening six-point defeat of Longford last weekend.

Divilly is currently a full-time coach with Kildare club Leixlip.

Crofton has also handed recalls to experienced duo Andrew McLoughlin and Anthony Rainbow in defence, where the 34-year-old Martin 'Ziggy' McIntyre, who impressed for Sarsfields during the club season, takes over at full-back from Kevin O'Neill.

Elsewhere, Killian Brennan makes way for U21 star Darryl Flynn at midfield. John Doyle and Adrian Kelly, who were both used as substitutes against Longford, start in attack, along with Tadhg Fennin and Padraig O'Neill.

Kildare and Laois clashed over the festive period in a challenge match, with the Lilywhites winning 1-15 to 1-11 in Athy. The winners of Sunday's tie in Newbridge will face either Louth or Offaly in the O'Byrne Cup semi-finals.

KILDARE (v Laois); T Corley; A McLoughlin, M McIntyre, J Lonergan; A Rainbow, J Divilly, D Lyons; D Flynn, H Lynch; P O'Neill, D McCormack, J Doyle; T Fennin, A Kelly, E Callaghan.