Team news: Kerry stick with tried and tested as Burns returns to panel
FINAL EIGHT: Kerry manager Jack O'Connor is preparing his side to face the Red Hand at HQ. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Kerry’s announced team to face Tyrone in Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final is the same as the one that began last weekend’s victory over Armagh.
The only change to the panel is Micheál Burns’ return from a two-game suspension. The Dr Crokes man comes in for Tomás Kennedy.
Tom O’Sullivan has yet to recover from his long-standing quad problem to take his place in the matchday 26. Seán O’Shea and Gavin White are again set to be held in reserve.
Of the team that began last year’s semi-final win over Tyrone, there are 10 survivors – the entire outfield defence save for White, the midfield pair and all but O’Shea in the forward line. The three changes are Shane Murphy, Diarmuid O’Connor and Paul Geaney for Shane Ryan, White and O’Shea.
Dublin captain Con O’Callaghan has been named to start against Galway in Sunday’s quarter-final despite retiring with what appeared to be a hamstring problem in the win over Donegal last weekend O’Callaghan has been plagued with hamstring problem across this season and beyond but he and Paddy Small, who also retired early, have been included in the team.
Nathan Doran suffered ankle damage and Eoin Kennedy has been selected to take his place in defence. Alex Gavin is included among the substitutes.
Meanwhile, former Kilkenny coach and selector Michael Dempsey is part of the selection committee that will recommend the next senior hurling manager.
Laois native Dempsey assisted Brian Cody between 2005 and ’19 in which time The Cats claimed eight All-Ireland SHC titles.
Dempsey is joined on the panel by chairman PJ Kenny, vice-chairman Jim Fennelly, secretary Seamus Reade and John Hickey, brother of former full-back Noel.
The understands there are five candidates for the position – Noel Doherty (Galmoy), Brian Dowling (O’Loughlin Gaels), Mark Dowling (Dicksboro), Tom Mullaly (Glenmore) and Henry Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks).
Doherty guided Thomastown to a senior county title in 2024 and was part of Derek Lyng’s management team in ’25. Brian Dowling is the current Kildare senior manager and his namesake Mark has been U20 Kilkenny boss and is at the helm of Naas.
Mullally has managed Carlow as well as Mount Leinster Rangers and Naas, while Shefflin is current U20 manager having been in charge of Galway for three season and brought his own club to back-to-back All-Ireland titles.
Earlier this month Lyng stepped down as senior hurling manager after four seasons. The process to succeed him is expected to conclude in the first half of next month.
Elsewhere, the GAA’s Management Committee are to discuss correspondence from Tyrone GAA about Allianz’s sponsorship on Friday.
The county have continued to air their concerns about the association’s relationship with the global insurance company and their indirect links to the genocide in Gaza.
(SFC v Tyrone): S. Murphy; P. Murphy, J. Foley, D. Casey; B. Ó Beaglaoich, M. Breen, G. O’Sullivan; M. O’Shea, S. O’Brien; J. O’Connor, P. Clifford, D. O’Connor; D. Clifford, P. Geaney (c), D. Geaney. Subs: S. Ryan, E. Looney, T. Brosnan, K. Evans, C. Trant, A. Heinrich, G. White, T. Morley, K. Spillane, S. O’Shea, M. Burns.
(SFC v Galway): E. Comerford; S. MacMahon, E. Kennedy, D. Byrne; L. Gannon, T. Clancy, C. McMorrow; P. Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, B. Howard; C. Basquel, C. O’Callaghan (c), N. Scully; P. Small, C. Kilkenny, C. Costello. Subs: H. O’Sullivan, T. Lahiff, L. Smith, G. McEneaney, C. Murphy, S. Guiden, J. Bannon, R. McGarry, A. Gavin, S. Bugler, T. Deering.
(SFC v Louth): R. Beggan, R. Wylie, K. Lavelle, D. Byrne; D. Ward, R. O’Toole, C. McCarthy; M. McCarville, K. Gallagher; A. Carey, M. Bannigan (c), S. O’Hanlon; J. McCarron, A. Woods, S. Mooney. Subs: K. Mulligan, F. Carolan, R. Hanratty, C. Dowd, O. McGorman, R. McAnespie, D. McElearney, T. Hughes, M. Maguire, D. Garland, T. Doherty.
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