McCarthy back from the brink

Defender Mike McCarthy is set to make his first Championship start in almost three years, after Kerry manager Jack O'Connor named him at centre-back for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC third round qualifier against Sligo at Austin Stack Park (throw-in 5pm).

Kilcummin clubman McCarthy, a three-time All-Star winner, last lined out for Kerry in Championship football in the All-Ireland final victory over Mayo in 2006.

Having missed last weekend's victory over Longford at Pearse Park, Aidan O'Mahony returns to the starting side at wing back.

Finuge's Paul Galvin also returns, from suspension, to take up his regular berth in the half-forward line.

Sean O'Sullivan moves into the full-forward line alongside Tommy Walsh who starts at full-forward in place of the injured Kieran Donaghy (broken foot).

However, there is no starting role for former AFL star Tadhg Kennelly who has failed to recover sufficiently from a hand injury.

The reshuffled Kerry team sees Killian Young and Aidan O'Shea lose out and drop to the bench.

Cromane clubman Donnacha Walsh will captain the side as regular captain Darran O'Sullivan has been listed as a substitute.

Kerry boss Jack O'Connor admitted the hectic playing schedule has taken its toll on his side.

"You are talking about playing games week after week, so you are going to always pick up

injuries," he told Radio Kerry.

"With the weather conditions the way they are at the moment - very slippery - players are always going to be hopping off of each other to pick up injuries.

He added: "The bottom line is that we are going to need everybody."

KERRY (SFC v Sligo) - D Murphy; M O Sé, T Griffin, T O’Sullivan; T O Sé, M McCarthy, A O’Mahony; D O Sé, S Scanlon; P Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan, D Walsh (capt); C Cooper, T Walsh, S O’Sullivan.