
Kerry make five changes to team to face Meath in final All-Ireland SFC Group 2 game
It was well known that Paudie Clifford, Paul Geaney, Barry Dan O'Sullivan and Diarmuid O'Connor would not be available for this game, with all four receiving treatment for specific injuries, and none of that quartet are included in the match day squad to face the Royal county in O'Connor Park.
Clifford, Geaney and O'Sullivan all started the game against Cork but none of them played into the second half, while O'Connor wasn't part of the squad in Pairc Uí Chaoimh, with a groin injury given as the reason for his absence.
There are two other changes for Saturday's encounter with Meath, with Dylan Casey and Brian Ó Beaglaoich not retaining their starting places in defence, and they are replaced by Paul Murphy and Tadhg Morley respectively.
Casey is named among the substitutes, which suggests his dropping to the bench is tactical, but Ó Beaglaoich is not on the named squad, which could indicate an injury issue.
Dara Moynihan is also named on the match day squad for the first time this year. The Spa club man hasn't played with Kerry since last year's All-Ireland semi-final loss to Armagh, having spent the best part of the last year rehabbing a serious injury.
As expected, Mark O'Shea comes into at midfield for Barry Dan O'Sullivan, whose knee injury is a serious one, and threatening to end his involvement for the result of the season. Killian Spillane and Dylan Geaney are also handed starts in place of Paudie Clifford and Paul Geaney, with some positional shuffling in the forward unit.
Micheal Burns moves back out to the half forward line alongside Graham O'Sullivan and Sean O'Shea, who takes the no.11 jersey. Spillane is named at full forward, in a direct switch for Paul Geaney, whom he replaced at half time against Cork.
Dylan Geaney is recalled to the starting 15 in place, and will start in one corner, with David Clifford in the other.
A win or a draw for Kerry will secure top spot in Group 2 and send the Kingdom straight to the All-Ireland quarter-finals a fortnight later. A win for Meath would see them finish top of the group and consign Kerry to a preliminary quarter-final with home advantage as second place finishers.
Kerry team team play Meath
ADVERTISEMENT
Learn more
1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)
2. Paul Murphy (Rathmore)
3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)
4. Tom O'Sullivan (Dingle)
5. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)
6. Mike Breen (Beaufort)
7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)
8. Joe O'Connor (Austin Stacks)
9. Mark O'Shea (Dr Crokes)
10. Graham O'Sullivan (Dromind Pearses)
11. Seán O'Shea (Kenmare)
12. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
13. David Clifford (Fossa)
14. Killian Spillane (Templenoe)
15. Dylan Geaney (Dingle)
Substitutes
Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes), Dylan Casey (Austin Stacks), Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), Conor Geaney (Dingle), Evan Looney (Dr Crokes), Seán O'Brien (Beaufort), Tom Leo O;'Sullivan (Dingle), Darragh Lyne (Legion), Cillian Trant (St Senans), Ruairí Murphy (Listry), Damien Bourke (Na Gaeil), Dara Moynihan (Spa)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
37 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Christy O'Connor: Nobody has greater appreciation for Mayo and Donegal rivalry than Padraig Brogan
Midway through the second half of the Mayo-Donegal 1992 All-Ireland semi-final, just after Donegal's Declan Bonner had missed a free, Croke Park began to stir into a craze, the sudden jolt of electricity running through the ground all connected to the sight of the Mayo number 24, Padraig Brogan, running onto the pitch. As soon as Brogan handed his substitute slip to referee Tommy Sugrue, the Donegal welcome party lined up to greet him, ramming into Brogan like bumper cars at a fairground as he made his way into the full-forward line to take up his position. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual €120€60 Best value Monthly €10€4 / month Unlimited access. Subscriber content. Daily ePaper. Additional benefits.


Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
GAA previews: Cork will have goal chances against Roscommon, it's a case of taking them
SATURDAY. All-Ireland SFC, Round 3. Group 2. Kerry v Meath, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 4.15pm (J. McQuillan, Cavan). Picking All-Stars today, Matthew Costello would be a leading contender in the forward sextet so his absence in Tullamore can't be understated. Kerry are vulnerable but if Costello isn't there then Meath's chances of a surprise diminish considerably. That's not to say they don't have danger men in the forward line or can't cause issues for Kerry in midfield. They look an altogether better group than the one that metaphorically bent the knee in front of Kerry in Navan last year. But only few teams outlast Kerry in a scorefest and Meath aren't close to being one of them at the moment. Verdict: Kerry. Roscommon v Cork, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 4.15pm (M. McNally, Monaghan) Live GAA+. We'll get this out of the way from the get-go: Cork are going to have goal chances here. It's just their conversion rate has been abysmal and if that continues then they are facing their earliest exit in this championship format. Roscommon have a series of goal-getters but there is a worrying lack of cohesion in their ranks for some reason. In fairness, they saved their best until last in this stage last year but Cork are really beefed up around the middle and they should create the platform to create those counter opportunities. A nod for Cork if they can put them away but it's a big if. Verdict: Cork. Group 4. Dublin v Derry, Páirc Esler, 6.30pm (B. Cawley, Kildare) Live GAA+. The inclusion of Con O'Callaghan in the Dublin panel named late on Thursday night will have given many of their supporters a restful sleep. That's not to say the Dublin squad won't change and O'Callaghan has been withdrawn from crucial games before but the captain is crucial to Dublin in subduing a Derry side that despite their awful run of results have upped their performance levels greatly since their lengthy post-provincial break. The Newry venue should be heaving for this one and Dublin can summon another Salthill-like display to make the last 12. Verdict: Dublin. Galway v Armagh, Kingspan Breffni, 6.30pm (N. Mooney, Cavan) Live GAA+. Armagh have a luxury here but Kieran McGeeney won't like it one bit. He's like Ricky Bobby's father Reese in Talladega Nights who much prefers something to be wrong than right: 'I gotta say things are pretty much perfect right now. And it's makin' me kinda of itchy.' McGeeney has to appreciate the fine job he and Armagh have done to qualify first for the last-eight. Galway have to throw everything at them to survive and that could give them invaluable insight down the line. Of course, Armagh's fringe players have something to fight for but Galway's need is so great. Verdict: Galway. Tailteann Cup quarter-finals. Fermanagh v Sligo, Brewster Park, 5pm (L. Devenney, Mayo). Another chance for Fermanagh to show why Enniskillen is a tough place to go. Carlow undermined that widely-held belief last month but Fermanagh bounced back well with that win over Wexford in Croke Park. Sligo were finetuned by Carlow last weekend and might have the superior attacking flourishes to land a semi-final spot. Verdict: Sligo. Kildare v Offaly, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 6.30pm (T. Murphy, Galway). A large crowd is anticipated in Newbridge for the second part of this double-header where the home side will be fancied but they will appreciate Offaly can pack a punch and Mickey Harte will have them set up well. Averaging over 30 points a game in their group, if Kildare are to continue demonstrating they belong at a higher grade, they should be able to deliver a professional performance to advance. Verdict: Kildare. All-Ireland JFC quarter-final. New York v USGAA, Gaelic Park, New York 10pm Irish time (S. Hurson, Tyrone). Verdict: New York. All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-finals. Laois v Tipperary, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 1.45pm (C. Mooney, Dublin) Live GAA+. With the greatest of respect to Laois and Kildare, it's difficult to give these games much positive coverage when the results are all but inevitable. Laois only want the season to end whereas Tipperary will want to mark their liberation from the Munster SHC with a smooth, injury-free afternoon in Portlaoise. Tipperary can't win by enough but winning is enough to set up a date with Galway. Verdict: Tipperary Kildare v Dublin, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 4pm (J. Owens, Wexford). Widely expected to be the closer of the two preliminary quarter-finals, the feelgood factor in Kildare and momentum generated from beating Laois should help them be competitive in the first half. Asking them to refocus for Dublin after the high of last Sunday is unfair and Dublin will look to pop their balloons early on. Kildare can hold their own for some of this but not enough to table a genuine challenge. Verdict: Dublin. Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC semi-final. Kilkenny v Waterford, Chadwicks Wexford Park, 7.30pm (E. Furlong, Wexford) Live TG4. A throw-in time that does little for the promotion of the All-Ireland minor championship. Kilkenny were convincing Leinster champions but they should face a real examination from a Waterford side that are strong around the middle and came up just short in the Munster final against Cork. Verdict: Kilkenny. TG4 All-Ireland senior ladies football championship, Round 2. Group 1. Donegal v Galway, Naomh Padraig Leifear, Lifford, 2pm (B. Rice, Down). Donegal will want to give a good account of themselves at home but may have one eye on the Tipperary game knowing that winning that will get them into the knock-out stages. Galway are in fine fettle. Verdict: Galway. Group 2. Cork v Kerry, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 2.30pm (S. Curley, Galway) Live TG4. Kerry showed the mark of champions when the sides met in the Munster championship even if their recent win over Mayo was on the laborious side. Cork can make life difficult for patches but Kerry look certs to top the group. Verdict: Kerry. Group 3. Kildare v Meath, Hawkfield CoE, 12.45pm (S. Mulvihill, Kerry) Live TG4. Courtesy of the Armagh-Meath draw, Kildare know a win in either of their games will see them through but their form doesn't indicate that a surprise is on the cards. Meath to jump to the No1 spot for the time being. Verdict: Meath. Group 4. Dublin v Leitrim, Parnell Park, 2pm (G. Canny, Mayo). Not that it was humbling – Waterford's credentials have been there for everyone to see – but being held by The Déise serves as a reminder to Dublin that they are not going to have it all their own way. They can comfortably seal their passage to the quarter-finals here all the same. Verdict: Dublin. SUNDAY. All-Ireland SFC, Round 3. Group 1. Donegal v Mayo, King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, 4pm (P. Faloon, Down) Live RTÉ. The venue may have given Donegal a cause for siege mentality but there will be plenty of locals paying in to see a good contest and hoping Mayo might be sent packing from the competition. The two-week gap from beating Tyrone will be beneficial to Mayo when they have struggled badly to back up championship performances one weekend after the next. Donegal have shown that their underbelly isn't completely protected and despite being so well drilled they can be porous at the back. Mayo just don't seem to be the type of team that can have a real cut at exposing that. Show some dash and they have a chance but this game is more likely to follow a formulaic theme, which will suit Donegal. Verdict: Donegal. Tyrone v Cavan, Brewster Park, 4pm (P. Neilan, Roscommon). Among the victorious Tyrone support that left Ballybofey last month, there were those who felt the absence of Shaun Patton and Donegal's high wide count masked the significance of the win. Mayo shattered any grand designs Tyrone had about themselves and here they will have to be gritty and relentless to stop Cavan. It appears a couple of key Tyrone players are playing with injuries but there can be no mitigating factors when a quarter-final place is on the line. Verdict: Tyrone. Group 3. Louth v Clare, Laois Hire O'Moore Park, 2pm (B. Tiernan, Dublin). As discussions about the Munster SFC format being rejigged to take away Clare's semi-final seeding, it would be an opportune time to remind people in the province why they have been a fixture in the Sam Maguire Cup group stages these past three years. Louth have found it difficult to hit terra firma since the Leinster final heroics but this game, while not a failsafe, was probably always in the back of their minds. Win here and they would have a shot at a preliminary quarter-final. Clare will deliver a display far better than their last three outings but Louth should have a small cushion at the final whistle. Verdict: Louth. Monaghan v Down, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 2pm (D. Coldrick, Meath) Live RTÉ. A de factor preliminary quarter-final a week before the preliminary quarter-final where the winners in Armagh city will enjoy a two-week gap before their last eight assignment. Down need only a draw to top the group and in Pat Havern and Odhrán Murdock they have real ballers but Monaghan's list of match-winners is lengthier and they are playing some beautiful football. Verdict: Monaghan. Tailteann Cup quarter-finals. Wicklow v Westmeath, Echelon Park, 1.15pm (J. Molloy, Galway) Live GAA+. It mightn't match the buzz there was around Aughrim when Dublin visited in the Leinster championship but there should be a sense of occasion around this clash. Westmeath have had to qualify with an extra outing but should be too good for the hosts even if their captain Dean Healy is playing out of his skin. Verdict: Westmeath. Limerick v Wexford, TUS Gaelic Grounds, 3.45pm (B. Griffin, Kerry) Live GAA+. Limerick's revolution under Jimmy Lee has been a compelling story. There were some rough times at the outset of his management as he negotiated a braindrain but the fruits of his labours are being seen now. Wexford amassed five goals against Antrim last weekend but they will find their opponents here miserly. Limerick to back up their win over Westmeath with another fine victory. Verdict: Limerick. Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC semi-final. Cork v Clare, FBD Semple Stadium, 1pm (C. Doyle, Tipperary) Live TG4. Seven points separated the sides in Tulla back in the middle of April but such are the vagaries at minor level that not much can be ruled out here. Yes, Cork are Munster champions and should seal an All-Ireland final date but Clare will want to set the tone early on as a means of creating doubt. They are on the back of two good wins too since Cork's provincial final but Cork were flawless in Munster and can carry on that form. Verdict: Cork.


Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Malachy Clerkin: Calling the football championship wide open is a polite way of saying every team is flawed
And so we get down to business. A football championship that has already provided more watchable games in a couple of months than in the previous two years combined will now shift gear. For all the good vibes around football in 2025, winning and losing were kind of abstract concepts up to this point, consequences a sort of far-off threat/promise. Not any more. From here on out, you either do the thing or you spend the next seven months annoyed that you did not do the thing. Of the 16 teams lining out this weekend, only Armagh have nothing immediate to play for. Win, lose or draw, they will top Group 4 and are guaranteed an All-Ireland quarter-final place. But even at that, knocking Galway out would be a delicious way to round off the group stage. Regular as clockwork, the moaning has begun. You know it, you hear it, you can feel it in the air. 'Why?' trill the voices. Why are we ditching this format to bring in yet another one next year? Typical GAA, getting rid of something just when it starts to get good. READ MORE To which the only sane response is, Jesus effing wept! Are people's memories really this short? Have they genuinely forgotten the reasons this stuff is changing? We surely can't be that easily distracted. Can we? Maybe we can. Maybe this is the ultimate tribute to the Football Review Committee . Jim Gavin is big on KPIs – or, Key Performance Indicators for the people whose lives are mercifully free of LinkedIn's assault on the language. But even he couldn't have imagined that one of the markers of the effect of the new football rules would be to make people forget the flaws in the format of the championship. It's worth restating, just for clarity. This is still 24 games to get rid of just four teams. It's still the case that some counties who have lost three matches aren't yet gone from the championship. It's still the case that some of them might not even need to win this weekend to progress. Since the championship began at the start of April, the collective record of Derry , Clare , Roscommon and Cork reads: Played 15, Won 3, Drew 2, Lost 10. All three wins came against Division Four opposition. Yet they're all still nominally in with a shout. [ All-Ireland Series permutations: All to play for as group stage comes to close Opens in new window ] The Rossies have posted one victory since the start of the championship, a 19-point win over London, who went on to be one of only two teams not to win a game in the Tailteann Cup. Yet as long as they get at least a draw against Cork in Portlaoise, Davy Burke's side will go through to the last 12. Derry sit alongside London and Waterford as the only teams in the country not to win a game in the 2025 championship so far. Yet they can feasibly still go through even if they lose to Dublin in Newry. It's unlikely, yes. But it's far from impossible. If the Dubs beat them by one and Armagh beat Galway by five, Paddy Tally's side sails on. Three defeats and one draw from four games and they would be just as alive in the championship as Armagh are. Armagh's Rian O'Neill celebrates a two point score with Óisín Conaty against Dublin in Round 2 of the championship earlier this month. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho So when someone asks you why the silly, meddling GAA had to go messing around with the format again, this is why. It's football sponsored by Hotel California – teams are checking out all over the country but still finding it very hard to leave. That won't happen next year. As soon as you lose two games in the 2026 Sam Maguire, your season is done. As for why it feels like it has worked better this year than before, the reasons are pretty simple. The first, plainly, is the new rules. It was bad enough that the championship structure was full of holes under the old rules – actually sitting through the games made it so much worse. Whatever you like or don't like about the new rules, everyone can see that the sport is more engaging now. The lulls and longueurs in which to contemplate the pointlessness of the format just aren't there any more. But there's a deeper and far more obvious reason too – and one that Gavin is blue in the face telling people that no changes to the playing rules or format will ever be able to affect. The field is flatter now than it's been in ages, maybe even in generations. Dublin are sixth in the betting. The next three after them are Monaghan, Mayo and Derry. So, essentially, you have nine teams that can either win the All-Ireland or be the spoke in the wheel for one of the others. When was that ever the case before? You probably have to go back to something like 1999. Galway were defending All-Ireland champions that year but got beaten by Mayo in the Connacht final, who then lost the All-Ireland semi-final to Cork. Cork were league champions but hadn't beaten Kerry in Munster in four years. Armagh won Ulster despite starting out fifth in the betting behind Donegal, Derry, Down and Tyrone. Kildare were defending Leinster champions but couldn't beat Offaly, who couldn't beat Meath. Dublin couldn't either. It all washed out as a Meath v Cork All-Ireland final, with anything up to half a dozen counties watching on, full sure they were a match for either of them. This year has precisely that kind of feel. When people say the championship is wide open, they're being polite. What they really mean is that every team is flawed and looks beatable. Kerry are favourites but haven't been tested. Armagh are probably the best around, but nobody's scared of them. Everyone else has lost at least once already. When the landscape looks like that, the format doesn't matter a damn. Just throw the ball up and get on with it.