The Kerry team to play old rivals Cork in the McGrath Cup final at Páirc Ui Rinn this Saturday (2.00pm) is very much along the lines of the sides that comprehensively beat Tipperary and Limerick in the earlier rounds of the competition.
Jack O’Connor has, by and large, remained loyal to the players that got Kerry to the decider which will be perfect warm-up before the national league action gets underway.
The big surprise is the inclusion, for the first time, of Armin Heinrich of Austin Stacks who lines out at left half back alongside Paul Murphy in the centre and Brian Ó Beaglaoich.
Joe O’Connor of Stacks and Beaufort’s Seán O’Brien resume their impressive partnership at midfield and the impressive Cillian Burke of Milltown/Castlemaine is in the half forward line alongside Ronan Buckley and Dylan Geaney.
The team will be captained by Seanie O’Shea in the absence of Paudie Clifford who is not included and neither is his brother David.
Kerry will begin the national league campaign with a home tie against Derry before making the long trip to Monaghan.
After that it’s a home tie against Mayo, away to Dublin, at home to Tyrone, away to Roscommon and at home to 2022 All-Ireland final opponents Galway.
The Cork team, meanwhile, features 10 of the side that featured in last season’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Derry.
Kerry: Shane Ryan (Rathmore), Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses), Jason Foley (Ballylongford), Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks), Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), Paul Murphy (Rathmore), Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks), Joe O’Connor (Austin Stacks), Seán O’Brien (Beaufort), Ronan Buckley (Listry), Dylan Geaney (Dingle), Cillian Burke (Milltown/Castlemaine), Killian Spillane (Templenoe), Seanie O’Shea (Kenmare Shamrocks), Dara Moynihan (Spa).
Subs: Seán Coffey (Beaufort), Gavin White (Dr Crokes), Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes), Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle), Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare Shamrocks), Barry Dan O’Sullivan (Dingle), Keith Evans (Keel), Adrian Spillane (Templenoe), Paudie O’Leary (Gneeveguilla),Darragh Roche (Glenflesk), Damian Burke (Na Gaeil), Joey Nagle (Austin Stacks), Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil).
Cork: Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree), Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Kevin Flahive (Douglas), Luke Fahy (Callinsollig), Sean Meehan (Kiskeam), Matty Taylor (Mallow), Ian Maguire (St Finbarrs), Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Og), Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree), David Buckley (Newcestown), Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCartaigh), Ruairi Deane (Bantry Blues), Conor Corbett (Cylda Rovers), Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary).
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