SIX PLAYERS WHO featured in Kerry’s defeat to Dublin in last year’s classic All-Ireland semi-final tie will start for the county’s 2014 opener in the McGrath Cup on Sunday.
Eamonn Fitzmaurice takes his charges into pre-season action against IT Tralee at Austin Stack Park at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.
He has named a side that features defenders Mark Griffin and Shane Enright, midfielder Anthony Maher and wing-forward Donnchadh Walsh. All four started against Dublin last September while centre-back Jack Sherwood and midfielder David Moran came on as substitutes in that game.
With Colm Cooper currently focused on club commitments with Dr Crokes, Donnchadh Walsh will captain the team.
There are newcomers to the fray from recent county U21 sides in full-forward Alan Fitzgerald (2011), defender Paul Murphy (2012) and attacker Shane O’Callaghan (2013).
KERRY: Brian Kelly (Legion); Paul Murphy (Rathmore), Mark Griffin (St Michael’s/Foilmore), Shane Enright (Tarbert); Mikey Geaney (Dingle), Jack Sherwood (Firies), Brian Maguire (Listowel Emmetts); Anthony Maher (Duagh), David Moran (Kerins O’Rahillys); Jonathan Lyne (Legion), Bryan Sheehan (St Mary’s), Donnchadh Walsh (Cromane); Shane O’Callaghan (Austin Stacks), Alan Fitzgerald (Castlegregory), Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare).Subs: Brendan Kealy (Kilcummin), Barry Shanahan (Austin Stacks), Barry John Keane (Kerins O’Rahillys), Edmond Walsh (Knocknagoshel), Mark Reen (Rathmore).
Rebels
Meanwhile Cork, the only other inter-county side in action in the McGrath Cup, have named five players who were in action when they lost out to Dublin in last August’s All-Ireland quarter-final tie.
For Sunday’s game against Limerick IT, new boss Brian Cuthbert has selected full-back Eoin Cadogan, wing-back James Loughrey, midfielder Aidan Walsh and corner-forward Daniel Goulding, who all started in that Croke Park tie. Full-forward Donncha O’Connor came on as a substitute in that game.
Notable inclusions are corner-forward John Hayes, who was last involved in the Cork squad in 2011, and centre-back Alan Sheehan, who will make his inter-county senior debut.
2009 All-Ireland U21 winners John McLoughlin, Noel Galvin and the O’Driscoll brothers, Kevin and Colm, also get their chance to impress.
CORK: Ryan Price (O’Donovan Rossa); John McLoughlin (Kanturk), Eoin Cadogan (Douglas), Noel Galvin (Ballincollig); James Loughrey (Mallow), Alan Sheehan (Dohenys), Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadgh MacCárthaigh); Aidan Walsh (Kanturk), Fintan Goold (Macroom); Colm O’Driscoll (Tadgh MacCárthaigh), Mark Sugrue (Bandon), Andrew O’Sullivan (Castletownbere); Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg), Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond), John Hayes (Carbery Rangers).Subs: Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown), Colin Lyons (St Finbarr’s), Sean Murphy (Ballydesmond), Micheál Ó Laoire (Naomh Abán), Kevin Crowley (Millstreet), Killian O’Connor (Mallow).
