Kerry make two changes for Monaghan clash

Former captain Declan O'Sullivan has made a dramatic return to the Kerry team for Sunday's GAA All-Ireland SFC third round qualifier against Monaghan at Croke Park (throw-in 4pm).

O'Sullivan underwent a knee operation just last month but a recent outing for his club Dromid Pearses, coupled with his return to county training, has convinced manager Pat O'Shea to select him.

O'Sullivan and Tommy Walsh have been added to the Kingdom attack for what is a repeat of last year's All-Ireland quarter-final.

Walsh comes in for Sean O'Sullivan in the half-forwards, as he did as a substitute late on in the Munster final loss to Cork.

Colm Cooper has been listed at centre-forward with the fit-again Declan O'Sullivan named at right corner-forward, but the pair are expected to swap positions.

O'Sullivan comes in for the benched Eoin Brosnan, who failed to score in the 1-16 to 1-11 defeat to Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The All-Ireland champions have also rejigged their defence for Sunday's return to Croke Park.

Marc O Se, the 2007 Footballer of the Year, moves from right corner back to full-back. Tom O'Sullivan and Padraig Reidy will flank him.

Kerry beat Monaghan by 1-12 to 1-11 when the sides met at the quarter-final stage last summer. Declan O'Sullivan (1-00) and Cooper (0-03) grabbed some vital scores that day.

O'Shea's men, who are gunning for their third All-Ireland title in a row, have been without a competitive game since July 6, while Monaghan have edged out both Derry and Donegal over the last two weekends.

In the continued absence of Paul Galvin, who has had his much-publicised suspension cut to three months, wing-back Tomas O Se will captain Kerry for Sunday's game.

KERRY (SFC v Monaghan) - D Murphy; P Reidy, M O Se, T O'Sullivan; T O Se (capt), A O'Mahony, K Young; D O Se, S Scanlon; T Walsh, C Cooper, D Walsh; Declan O'Sullivan, K Donaghy, B Sheehan.

Substitutes: K Cremin, E Brosnan, S O'Sullivan, Darren O'Sullivan, M Quirke, T Griffin, D Bohane, MF Russell, R O Flatharta, P O'Connor, K O'Leary, D Moran, A Maher, M Moloney, P Corridan.