Kerry change over a third of their team for Munster SFC Final against Clare

Irish Independent

01-05-2025

Keeper Shane Ryan misses out entirely on the match-day squad due to the gash to his knee he suffered in that game. Dr Crokes' Shane Murphy comes in as a straight replacement, with Beaufort's Seán Coffey stepping up to the understudy's role.
In defence the Kerry management has made two changes, albeit more from a position of strength as they've been able to welcome back Tom O'Sullivan (who slots in at corner-back in his traditional number 4 shirt) and Mike Breen from injury and illness.
Austin Stacks defender Dylan Casey retains his place in the starting fifteen, despite O'Sullivan's return, moving from number 4 to number 2 in place of the injured Paul Murphy of Rathmore.
Breen takes the place of Tadhg Morley who came into the side for the game against the Rebels in his absence. Breen, who had pretty much nailed down that position over the course of the National League, reclaiming it at first time of asking.
The most radical surgery to the side is to the half-forward line, which is entirely different to what started against Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Paudie Clifford's suspension robs the Kingdom of their best player so far this season, but Seán O'Shea getting a first championship start is a very replacement to be able to call upon at number 11
At number 10 Ruairí Murphy, who didn't last the full seventy minutes on Leeside, is replaced by Tony Brosnan, while Micheál Burns comes into the side at number 12 in place of the injured Graham O'Sullivan.
The full-forward line remains unchanged, as does midfield which sees Joe O'Connor line out alongside Barry 'Dan' O'Sullivan in the continuing absence of Na Gaeil's Diarmuid O'Connor through injury.
Amongst the replacements Cathal Ó Beaglaoich of An Ghaeltacht (a midfielder), Keith Evans of Keel (a half-forward) and Cillian Trant of St Senans (another half-forward) also step up.
Jack O'Connor has named a squad of 29 for Sunday, instead of the usual match-day 26.
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Kerry team (v Clare)
1. Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes)
2. Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Tom O'Sullivan (Dingle)
5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
6. Mike Breen (Beaufort)
7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
8. Joe O'Connor (Austin Stacks)
9. Barry 'Dan' O'Sullivan (Dingle)
10. Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes)
11. Seán O'Shea (Kenmare)
12. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
13. David Clifford (Fossa)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
15. Dylan Geaney (Dingle)
Subs
16. Seán Coffey (Beaufort)
17. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)
18. Damien Bourke (Na Gaeli)
19. Killian Spillane (Templenoe)
20. Ruairí Murphy (Listry)
21. Mark O'Shea (Dr Crokes)
22. Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks)
23. Seán O'Brien (Beaufort)
24. Conor Geaney (Dingle)
25. Evan Looney (Dr Crokes)
26. Keith Evans (Keel)
27. Cathal Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)
28. Tom 'Leo' O'Sullivan (Dingle)
29. Cillian Trant (St Senans)