Doyle fit for Kildare

Allenwood ace John Doyle has recovered from a rib injury to be named in the Kildare team for tomorrow's Leinster SFC first round encounter with Wicklow at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

Doyle will line out at right half-forward in a Lilywhites line-up that includes two championship debutants in Gary White and Alan Smith.

White captained the Kildare U-21s through to the recent All-Ireland final and will start at left half-back tomorrow, having overcome a shoulder problem.

Smith, another influential figure in that U-21 side, has been given the left corner forward berth for Kieran McGeeney's first championship match as a team manager.

The former Armagh defender has plenty of experience dotted around his team including right half-back Anthony Rainbow, who is taking part in his 17th senior championship, and 1998 All-Star Dermot Earley, who will partner captain Killian Brennan at midfield.

Brennan has recovered from a hamstring injury to skipper the side, while Kevin O'Neill (hamstring) and Padraig O'Neill (knee) have also shrugged off knocks to start.

Kildare and Wicklow last met in the championship in 2005 when the Lilywhites edged home in a first round tie by 1-17 to 2-12.

Kildare endured a difficult time in the recent National League, eventually being relegated from Division 1 after winning one, drawing two and losing four of their seven games.

Tomorrow afternoon's winners will play Laois in a quarter-final on May 31, with the venue either Tullamore or Carlow.

KILDARE (SFC v Wicklow): T Corley; M O'Flaherty, K O'Neill, E Bolton; A Rainbow, A McLoughlin, G White; K Brennan (capt), D Earley; J Doyle, D Flynn, R Sweeney; M Conway, P O'Neill, A Smith.