Caffrey gives Boyle a chance

Paul Caffrey's first competitive selection as Dublin manager opts for experience with 11 of the side who lined out in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Kerry being picked. It has also been confirmed that Paddy Christie will be captain for the coming year.

The team to play Mayo in Saturday's first round of the Allianz National Football League includes Robbie Boyle at full forward. Boyle came on as a replacement in Dublin's last All-Ireland win 10 years ago but looked to have dropped off the scene in 1998 when he played in the championship defeat by Kildare. He returned last year and made an appearance as a replacement in the All-Ireland qualifier win over Longford.

Stephen O'Shaughnessy is named at left-corner back but is not a debutant, as he started last year's league match against Longford.

David Henry is named in attack despite having played his competitive intercounty football to date at corner back. Shane Ryan is another featuring in an unusual position, lining out with Ciarán Whelan at centrefield.

Caffrey had a full pick with the exception of Conal Keaney who is unavailable for this weekend's match and Mark Vaughan who is injured. Both are expected to be in contention for the second round match against Tyrone.

Cork bring three newcomers to league football into the attack for Friday's opener against holders Kerry. Cian McCormack, John Hayes and former All-Ireland winning minor captain James Masters. All three have played in the McGrath Cup this year.

Manager Billy Morgan has a number of injury problems. Graham Canty, Colin Crowley and Philip Clifford are recovering from knee injuries. Also out of contention are Ger Spillane and Seán O'Brien.

Opponents Kerry have their own absentee problems. Manager Jack O'Connor will select his team tonight but will be without Declan O'Sullivan (cartilage), Michael Russell (nose operation) and Michael McCarthy (knee injury). He is also waiting for word from Dara Ó Cinnéide and John Crowley about their intentions for the coming season.

Dublin's opponents Mayo hope to announce their line-out this evening. Ballina have made their players available despite the upcoming All-Ireland club semi-final although there has been no indication from the veteran David Brady about whether he intends to commit for another season.

Similarly Fergal Costello and Gary Ruane, who is recovering from surgery, both of whom captained the team in championship last year, are also considering their plans for 2005.

Marty McNicholas, who would also have been in contention for a starting place, will be out for a number of weeks with a shoulder injury.

Donegal manager Brian McEniff will be short midfielder Brendan Boyle when he picks the team to play Tyrone. McEniff defers his selection until tomorrow because he has a number of players involved in Sigerson Cup activity this week, including six with holders Sligo IT.

New Offaly manager Kevin Kilmurray tonight picks his first league team and reports a full pick although he too will be keeping an eye on the Sigerson fixtures.

Offaly's opponents, Westmeath, are missing a number of players with injury. Paul Conway, Damien Healy and long-term absentee David O'Shaughnessy will all miss the Tullamore clash. Also out is Patrick Mulvihill who received a red card in an under-21 challenge and is suspended.

Athenry hurler Shane Donoghue will be available for his side's All-Ireland club semi-final showdown with Toomevara on Saturday week. The GAA lifted his six-month ban on Monday night.

DUBLIN (SF v Mayo): S Cluxton; B Cahill, P Christie, S O'Shaughnessy; P Casey, B Cullen, P Griffin; S Ryan, C Whelan; D Henry, J Sherlock, S Connell; D O'Callaghan, R Boyle, T Quinn. Subs: B Murphy, C Goggins, P Andrews, D Homan, A Brogan, R Cosgrove, D Lally, L Ó hÉineacháin, J Magee.

CORK (SF v Kerry): K O'Dwyer; N Geary, D Kavanagh, A Lynch; N O'Leary, S Levis, M Cronin; D Hurley, N Murphy; C O'Riordan, C McCarthy, K McMahon; J Masters, BJ O'Sullivan, J Hayes. Subs: K Murphy, K O'Connor, O Sexton, M Shields, G Murphy, M Ó Cróinín, A Cronin, K O'Sullivan, F Gould.