Moran back to skipper Dubs

After an injury-ravaged 2006, Colin Moran will captain Paul Caffrey's Dublin side in Saturday's Dublin Bus/Evening Herald Dubs Stars match in Portmarnock (throw-in 2pm).

Groin and knee injuries kept Moran on the sidelines for most of last year. His championship summer amounted to barely 15 minutes as a substitute against Offaly, Westmeath and Mayo.

But the Ballyboden St Enda's clubman proved his fitness when helping Leinster win the M Donnelly interprovincial title for the second successive year last October.

Lining out against the Dubs Stars 15 at Naomh Mearnóg this weekend, the 26-year-old will skipper Dublin from left half-back. The capital side's impressive half-back line also includes Paul Casey and stand-in skipper Bryan Cullen.

Moran's direct opponent on Saturday afternoon will be UCD and Laois star Billy Sheehan.

Dublin's two AllStars for 2006, goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton and centre forward Alan Brogan, will be in opposition as Brogan, who will be marked by Cullen, leads the Dubs Stars' attack.

The Dubs Stars clash will be preceded by a ladies' senior football challenge match between Dublin and Meath.

DUBLIN - Stephen Cluxton (Parnells); David Henry (Raheny), Barry Cahill (St Brigid's), Stephen O'Shaughnessy (Lucan); Paul Casey (Lucan), Bryan Cullen (Skerries), Colin Moran (Ballyboden St Enda's, captain); Ross McConnell (St Oliver Plunkett's/ER), Darren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes); Kevin Bonner (St Brigid's), Declan Lally (St Brigid's), Ray Cosgrove (Kilmacud Crokes); David O'Callaghan (St Mark's), Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St Enda's), Jason Sherlock (Na Fianna).

Subs: John Leonard (St Sylvester's), Niall O'Shea (St Jude's), Declan O'Mahony (Ballyboden), Shane Ryan (senior) (Nh Mearnóg), Pat Burke (Kilmacud), Colin Prenderville (Fingal Ravens), Donnacha Reilly (Skerries), Barry O'Hanlon (St Pat's, Palmerstown), Graham Cullen (Skerries), Kevin Nolan (Kilmacud Crokes), Chris Guckian (St Jude's), Cian O'Sullivan (Kilmacud), Shane Ryan (junior, Nh Mearnóg).

DUBS STARS - Stephen Gallagher (UCD); Willie Lowry (St Vincent's), Paddy Navin (UCD), John McCarthy (UCD); Paul Griffin (Kilmacud Crokes), Ger Brennan (St Vincent's), Coman Goggins (Ballinteer St John's); Pat Gilroy (St Vincent's), Sean Brady (UCD); Billy Sheehan (UCD), Alan Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett's/ER), Austin O'Malley (UCD); Dermot Connolly (St Vincent's), Tomas Quinn (St Vincent's), Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett's/ER).

Subs: Paul Copeland (St Jude's), Brian Kirby (Thomas Davis), Micheal Lyons (St Jude's), Derek Murray (Round Towers, Clondalkin), Mark Davoren (Kilmacud Crokes).