PAT GILROY HAS stuck with the bulk of his All-Ireland heroes as Dublin prepare to open their championship defence against Louth this weekend.
The Dubs boss has made just three changes to the side which started last September’s historic win ahead of Sunday’s Leinster SFC quarter-final clash in Croke Park.
All-Ireland goal hero Kevin McManamon starts at full-forward, Philly McMahon gets the nod at corner-back and Eamonn Fennell comes in to partner Michael Dara Macauley in midfield.
2010 Footballer of the Year Bernard Brogan returns to the side in the number 15 shirt. The Oliver Plunkett’s club man missed the Dubs’ league campaign to take an extended holiday in Australia and then needed keyhole surgery on a knee injury on his return.
Cian O’Sullivan, Davy Byrne and Paul Brogan were not considered because of injury.
Dublin (SFC v Louth): Stephen Cluxton; Philly McMahon, Rory O’Carroll, Michael Fitzsimons; James McCarthy, Ger Brennan, Kevin Nolan; Eamonn Fennell, Michael Dara Macauley; Bryan Cullen (c), Alan Brogan, Paul Flynn; Diarmuid Connolly, Kevin McManamon, Bernard Brogan.
