JUST FIVE OF the Dublin team who started last September’s All-Ireland football final will line-out for the capital when they begin the defence of their Allianz National Football League against Kerry tomorrow night.
Stephen Cluxton, Johnny Cooper, Cian O’Sullivan, Ciaran Kilkenny and Philly McMahon are the only survivors from the throw-in of Dublin’s victory over Mayo while Cluxton and Cooper will be the only two players to also start last year’s League opener against Cork.
Injuries to the likes of James McCarthy, Paddy Andrews and Bernard Brogan, Paul Flynn’s suspension and Ger Brennan and Diarmuid Connolly being club-tied robs Jim Gavin of no fewer than 11 front-line players.
Ballymun Kickhams’ Seán George and Cormac Costello both make their League debut.
Dublin SF v Kerry: Stephen Cluxton (Parnell’s); John Cooper (Na Fianna), Séan George (Ballymun Kickhams) Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala); Eric Lowndes (St. Peregrine’s), Cian O’Sullivan (Killmacud Crokes), Philly McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams); Declan O’Mahony (Ballyboden/St. Enda’s), Shane Carthy (Naomh Mearnóg); Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock), Bryan Cullen (Skerries Harps), Ciarán Reddin (St. Maur’s); Kevin McManamon (St. Jude’s), Eoghan O’Gara (Templeogue Synge Street), Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille)
