Dublin make three changes for Monaghan clash

Dublin Senior Football manager Pat Gilroy has made three changes to his side for this Saturday's floodlit clash with Monaghan at Parnell Park (7.30pm)

Bernard Brogan makes his first start of the current league, having impressed for Dublin when introduced as a substitute in their slender one point win over Mayo at Castlebar last weekend.

Brogan scored Dublin's only goal of the game in the 53rd minute and is named at full-forward with Kevin Bonnar reverting to the bench.

Despite also impressing as a substitute last weekend Conal Keaney is unavailable for selection after the Ballyboden St Enda's clubman aggravated a quad-strain.

The Metropolitians other two changes are in defence with Rory O'Carroll and James McCarthy returning from under 21 action, which saw them claim a Leinster semi-final spot at Louth's expense.

O'Carroll returns to full-back with Michael Fitzsimons moving to the corner. Paul Conlon is ruled out of the starting line-up having suffered an ankle injury last weekend, but may be fit to take a place among the substitutes when they are named later in the week.

Meanwhile McCarthy takes over from Hugh Gill at right-half back.

There is some good news for the Dublin management with a number of players returning from injury.

Eoghan O'Gara resumed training last night following a groin injury while Alan Brogan had his first contact session this week following an operation on his hand.

Blaine Kelly and Ross O'Carroll are both expected to return to training this week while Denis Bastick is due to return to training in the next ten days following an ankle operation.

Injuries to Darren Daly (ankle), Mark Davoren and Tomas Quinn (metatarsal) are more long-term however and they aren't expected to feature before the end of the league campaign.

DUBLIN (SF v Monaghan) - S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, Rory O'Carroll, P McMahon; J McCarthy, C O'Sullivan, G Brennan; E Fennell, R McConnell; A Hubbard, MD MacAuley, P Flynn; D Henry, B Brogan, K McManamon.