Carr sees Fitzgerald omission as tactical

The absence of Maurice Fitzgerald from Kerry's starting line-up for Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin has caused some surprise in football circles, yet few would be surprised to see him make an appearance at some stage.

After giving Fitzgerald three championship starts this season, manager Pβid∅ ╙ SΘ decided on Monday night to keep him on the bench for the game in Thurles, clearing the way for Eoin Brosnan to take the vacant place in the half-forward line.

Fitzgerald thus returns to the role of substitute, which he played for the entire All-Ireland run of last year. The decision in part springs from the failure of the St Mary's player to make a significant impression on Kerry's progression this summer, but it also gives ╙ SΘ the tactical option that worked so effectively last season.

In each of their six championship games en route to winning the All-Ireland, Fitzgerald appeared as a substitute. The impact did vary, but in the drawn semi-final with Armagh and the winning performance against Galway his role was pivotal. By the end of the summer there was talk of him being chosen as an All Star.

Dublin manager Tom Carr will finalise his team after training this evening and he sees the decision to take Fitzgerald out of Kerry's starting line-up as a reflection of the changing face of modern Gaelic football.

"I certainly wasn't surprised to see him named with the substitutes," he says. "It has turned into a 20-man game these days and the first 15 that are named doesn't have the same bearing on the overall game that it did in the past. The day has come now where players are purposely named among the substitutes, and I will certainly be using three or four players from the bench as part of our game plan on Saturday."

Brosnan replaced Fitzgerald early in the second half of the Munster final win over Cork. Although he did not score, the emerging Dr Crokes player made a considerable impact with his physical presence and explosive power.

"The Kerry management obviously have their own reasons for putting Fitzgerald on the bench," added Carr, "but from his point of view I expect it will be disappointing that he isn't starting even though he hasn't been in his best form for the last few games."

Carr has a couple of injuries to worry about before choosing his starting 15, but both defender Coman Coggins, who has been suffering with a hamstring injury, and forward Wayne McCarthy, who took a knock in training on Monday night, will be available.

Kerry's Brosnan will will wear the number 10 shirt and Noel Kennelly is named at centre forward. Kerry's decision to move Aodβn MacGearailt from his familiar berth at right wing forward to the left wing means that Paul Curran will probably have the task of marking MacGearailt.

Dara ╙ CinnΘide is restored to the full-forward position, having spent time at centre forward this season.