Dublin’s Cian O’Sullivan to start against Kerry

Cian O’Sullivan has been named on the Dublin team to face Kerry in Sunday’s All-Ireland football final.

In an unchanged team the 2013 All Star is listed at centre back despite widespread concerns about a hamstring injury he picked up at the very end of the semi-final replay win over Mayo.

O’Sullivan has a vital role in the team’s reconfigured defensive system and if he can play the final, having received intensive treatment in the past two weeks, it will be a major asset for the Leinster champions.

Otherwise manager Jim Gavin leaves the team unchanged from the replay. Dean Rock, whose place had been seen as perhaps in jeopardy retains his place at full forward whereas Diarmuid Connolly, a late addition to the side after a controversial DRA decision to lift a suspension, lines out again at centre forward.

Dublin: S Cluxton (capt.); J Cooper, R O'Carroll, P McMahon; J McCarthy, C O'Sullivan, J McCaffrey; B Fenton, D Bastick; P Flynn, D Connolly, C Kilkenny; P Andrews, D Rock, B Brogan.