Kerry welcome Diarmuid O'Connor back into starting team to play Roscommon, but Paudie Clifford not in the squad
Interestingly Paudie Clifford is not amongst the match-day 26. The Fossa man was expected back in the team – or at least the match day panel – having served a suspension that kept him out of the Munster final with Clare in Fitzgerald Stadium.
Diarmuid O'Connor hasn't featured in a Kerry squad since injuring his shoulder in the NFL game against Armagh in the middle of March, but the Tralee man has been brought straight into the starting team for Saturday's Group 2 game in the first of the All-Ireland SFC group phase (Sam Maguire Cup).
O'Connor's is one of two changes to the Kerry team that started the Munster final a fortnight ago. Shane Ryan returns to the no.1 jersey after the Rathmore man recovered from a leg injury he suffered in the Munster semi-final win over Cork. Shane Murphy drops back to the bench.
Barry Dan O'Sullivan retains his place at midfield alongside Diarmuid O'Connor, with Joe O'Connor moving from the centre of the field to right half forward.
Tony Brosnan is the player to make way to accommodate the Austin Stacks man in the half forward line.
Paul Murphy and Graham O'Sullivan are named among the substitutes for Saturday, with both men having missed out on any involvement in the Munster final.
Saturday's visit of Roscommon to Fitzgerald Stadium will be the first time the Connacht county will play a senior championship in the Kingdom. It will be just the 11th Championship meeting between the counties with the record standing at eight wins for Kerry, one for Roscommon, and one draw.
Meanwhile, Kerry's round 2 game against Cork has been confirmed Saturday, May 31 at 4.45pm in Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The game will be broadcast on GAA+.
Kerry's round 3 game will be against Meath on the weekend of June 14/15 at a neutral venue.
Kerry team (v Roscommon)
1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)
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. Diarmuid O'Connor (Na Gaeil)
9. Barry 'Dan' O'Sullivan (Dingle)
10. Joe O'Connor (Austin Stacks)
11. Seán O'Shea (Kenmare)
12. Micheál Burns (Dr Crokes)
13. David Clifford (Fossa)
14. Paul Geaney (Dingle)
15. Dylan Geaney (Dingle)
Substitutes
Shane Murphy (Dr Crokes), Tadhg Morley (Templenoe), Tony Brosnan (Dr Crokes), Armin Heinrich (Austin Stacks), Paul Murphy (Rathmore), Graham O'Sullivan (Dromind Pearses), Killian Spillane (Templenoe), Mark O'Shea (Dr Crokes), Conor Geaney (Dingle), Evan Looney (Dr Crokes), Seán O'Brien (Beaufort), Damien Bourke (Na Gaeil), Ruairí Murphy (Listry)
Roscommon team (v Kerry): C Carroll; N Higgins, B Stack, D Murray; S Lambe, R Daly, J McManus; E Nolan, K Doyle; D Ruane, E Smith, C Hand; D Cregg, B O'Carroll, C Murtagh.
Subs: A Brady, P Frost, T Lambe, C Neary, S Killoran, S Cunnane, C Cox, D Kenny, D Murtagh, C Lennon, J Fitzpatrick.
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