Micko sticks with winning formula

Wicklow manager Mick O'Dwyer has named an unchanged team for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC fourth round qualifier against Kildare in Tullamore (throw-in 7pm).

Unusually, this means Wicklow will have lined out with the same 15 players for all four matches in the qualifier series.

They had the same starting line-up for the qualifier victories against Fermanagh, Cavan and Down at Aughrim during the past three weekends.

With a clean bill of health from that dramatic defeat of Down, O'Dwyer has been afforded the chance to keep this winning side together as they look to add another chapter to their 2009 fairytale.

Goalkeeper Mervyn Travers has been a steadying presence, with two clean sheets against Cavan and Down, while Kilmacud Crokes clubman Brian McGrath hoovers up a lot of ball in the half-backs.

Midfielders James Stafford and Thomas Walsh dovetail well and have been doing considerable damage in the air and on the run.

Up front, team captain Leighton Glynn, Dean Odlum and Seanie Furlong cover every blade of grass and free-taker Tony Hannon has converted some pressure kicks, none more so than the late '45' which ended Down's Championship hopes.

Kerryman O'Dwyer, who turned 73 last month, is delighted to have overseen Wicklow's best ever Championship campaign, which also includes a Leinster SFC victory over Longford.

The Garden County players beat Kildare in last year's Championship for their first ever SFC win at Croke Park, but O'Dwyer has been suitably impressed by the Lilywhites' performances this summer.

The former Kildare boss said: "I have wonderful memories of my time down there in Kildare. I would have preferred if we had got any of the other teams in the draw.

"They have been playing very well this year and pushed Dublin very close in the Leinster final.

"So they will be coming into this weekend's game high in confidence."

WICKLOW (SFC v Kildare) - M Travers; C Hyland, D O hAnnaidh, S Kelly; P McWalter, B McGrath, D Hayden; J Stafford, T Walsh; JP Dalton, T Hannon, L Glynn (capt); D Odlum, S Furlong, P Earls.