Dubs to blood newcomers in O'Byrne Cup

Dublin manager Pat Gilroy will test the depth of his 2012 panel when the All-Ireland champions open their season in the O'Byrne Cup next weekend.

The Dubs begin their campaign against Carlow at Dr Cullen Park on Sunday (throw-in 2pm), and Gilroy will be without 15 of his regular squad members.

Michael Darragh Macauley, Mick Fitzsimons, Eoghan O'Gara, Rory O'Carroll, Seán Murray and Diarmuid Connolly are among the players who will be college-tied for the early season Leinster competition.

Bernard Brogan and Eamon Fennell are currently on holiday and not expected to be considered for selection, while Denis Bastick will be on honeymoon.

Meanwhile, Brogan's older brother Alan, the 2011 Footballer of the Year, was in impressive form when helping Dublin to a 3-10 to 3-6 win over the Dubs Stars in their annual challenge match yesterday.

Brogan scored a tremendous fourth-minute goal at the Thomas Davis venue when he raced through from the 65-metre line before firing past goalkeeper Shane Supple.

Another of their All-Ireland title-winning heroes, Kevin McManamon, scored a late goal for the winners, with Brogan finishing with 1-2 and Macauley also finding the net.