All-Ireland winners to start for Kerry in McGrath Cup clash with Clare

Kerry face Clare in the McGrath Cup at 7pm in Clarecastle on Tuesday evening

Two-time All-Ireland winner Jason Foley starts for Kerry against Clare. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Full-back Jason Foley, centre-back Mike Breen, and midfielder Seán O’Brien are the three members of Kerry’s All-Ireland final winning team who have been named in the line-up for the county’s opening fixture of 2026.

Tadhg Morley, who was a second-half sub during the final win over Donegal last July, is also named at corner-back for Tuesday’s McGrath Cup opener away to Clare (Clarecastle, 7pm).

From last season’s Munster U20 winning side, there is a senior audition for Daniel Kirby at half-forward. Tomás Kennedy, a fellow U20 from last year who subsequently graduated to earn senior championships minutes off the bench during the summer run to Sam Maguire glory, will make his first start at full-forward.

Cillian Trant, who was briefly looked at during the beginning of last year's league, is selected at left half-back.

KERRY (McGrath Cup v Clare): S Broderick (J Mitchels); T Morley (Templenoe), J Foley (Ballydonoghue), E O’Connor (Na Gaeil); C Keating (Dr Crokes), M Breen (Beaufort), C Trant (St Senan’s); S O’Brien (Beaufort), L Smith (Glenbeigh-Glencar); D Kirby (Austin Stacks), D Lyne (Legion), T O’Donnell (Castlegregory); C O’Grady (Castlegregory), T Kennedy (Kerins O’Rahilly’s), G Hassett (Laune Rangers).

Subs: B Kelly (Kilcummin), D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks), D Murphy (Rathmore), P O’Shea (Kilcummin), K Spillane (Templenoe), C Brosnan (Currow), T Brosnan (Dr Crokes), C Collins (Rathmore), L Evans (Keel), D O’Connor (Beaufort), S O’Connell (Cordal).