Gilroy names panel despite likelihood of no weekend action

IT IS very unlikely the Dublin footballers will take to the field for this Sunday’s opening O’Byrne Cup match against Wexford at Parnell Park but Pat Gilroy has still announced a 24-man panel that will be reassessed before the National League commences.

Jason Sherlock remains out of the management plans and a significant number of Kilmacud Crokes players are due to be added to the list. They are currently not being considered due to a recent trip to New York, a reward for the club having captured the All-Ireland club title last March.

However, the Crokes players, including a recovering Mark Davoren, were in attendance for Dublin’s early morning session on Tuesday. Davoren sustained cruciate knee damage in an impressive championship bow against Meath at Croke Park last June when he seemed to provide a viable option at full forward.

Alan Brogan is the only major frontline injury concern, with a hand injury. Up to 18 players are not being considered due to commitments to third-level teams like DCU and UCD. These include former captain Bryan Cullen.

St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh forward Gareth Smith has switched allegiance from Dublin to Cavan and is expected to feature in the McKenna Cup opening round against Tyrone. A highly-rated club player, Smith never nailed down a regular place on the Dublin panel under Tommy Lyons, Paul Caffrey or Gilroy but joins another former Dublin manager, Tommy Carr, in Cavan.

Like last season, Gilroy will not announce a captain until later in the campaign but there are plenty of familiar names to go with a large contingent of unknown additions – Gilroy having promised to refresh the panel this season. If the weather improves a team will be selected on Monday.

DUBLIN SF PANEL: S Cluxton (Parnells), C Reilly (Trinity Gaels), A Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams), B Brogan (Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh), B Kelly (St Mary’s), B McManamon (St Jude’s), C McCormack (St Mary’s), D Daly (Fingal Ravens), D Kelly (Trinity Gaels), D Rock (Ballymun Kickhams), D Carrigan (St Mary’s), E O’Gara (Templeogue Synge St), E Fennell (O’Tooles), J Brogan (Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh), J McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams), K Bonner (St Brigid’s), M McAuley (Ballyboden St Enda’s), P Casey (Lucan Sarsfields), P Conlon (St Vincent’s), R McConnell (Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh), S Murray (St Brigid’s), S McGrath (Thomas Davis), T Diamond (St Vincent’s), T Quinn (St Vincent’s).