Lydon and Conroy start for Galway

Mark Lydon and Paul Conroy have been named in the Galway team for Saturday's crunch GAA Football All-Ireland quarter-final against Kerry at Croke Park, throw-in at 4pm.

The pair, who both made their full championship debuts against Roscommon in May, has been brought into the side by manager Liam Sammon.

Lydon is preferred to Niall Coleman in midfield, after impressing as a second half substitute in the Connacht final win over Mayo.

The Moycullen clubman's efforts in training have also been noted by Sammon, whose only other change sees Conroy replacing the sidelined Nicky Joyce at wing forward. Joyce underwent a groin operation two weeks ago.

Conroy, who scored a crucial late point in the Mayo game, is set for his third start of the 2008 championship after appearances against Roscommon and Leitrim.

He captained Galway to their first All-Ireland minor title in 21 years last September.

All Star defender Declan Meehan (hamstring), influential midfielder Joe Bergin (Achilles and quad muscle) and pacy forward Sean Armstrong (groin) are all currently on the Tribesmen's injury list, but one or more could still feature off the bench on Saturday.

On the plus side, Matthew Clancy is fit enough to take his place at right corner-forward after recovering from a back injury.

Saturday's game will be the first championship clash between Galway and Kerry since the Kingdom prevailed by 2-17 to 1-12 in an All-Ireland quarter-final back in 2002.

Incredibly, Galway have not beaten Kerry in the championship since the 1965 All-Ireland final.

The Connacht kingpins also have a poor quarter-final record to overcome.

Since the new championship system was introduced in 2001, they have won just one of their five quarter-final matches - they beat Roscommon by 0-14 to 1-05 in 2001.

Last year they were edged out in the last-eight by Cork (2-14 to 2-11), while Kerry (2002) and Donegal (2003 after a replay) have also defeated them at the quarter-final stage.

GALWAY (SFC v Kerry) - P Doherty; G Bradshaw, F Hanley, D Burke; N Coyne, D Blake, G Sice; B Cullinane, M Lydon; C Bane, P Joyce (capt), P Conroy; M Clancy, M Meehan, F Breathnach.

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