Team news: Despite not being named in the Tyrone's 30-man panel for Sunday's All-Ireland final, Stephen O'Neill will still play some part against Kerry, Mickey Harte said this evening. O'Neill's omission from the squad was the major talking point when the side was named today but his absence was purely down to the rules regarding the match programme, according to his manager.
With just 30 players permitted in the official programme, Harte was naturally unwilling to drop a member of the squad that guided the Red Hand county to the decider but insists O'Neill will be on the sidelines at Croke Park.
"Only 30 names could be submitted for the match programme but Stephen will be available and is very much part of the squad for Sunday," said Harte.
The former footballer of the year is back in training with the panel having come out of retirement a fortnight ago and Harte views his him as an integral part of the Ulster county's plans.
"Stephen will be part of the team list on Sunday, his fitness levels are very high and Tyrone fans will see him in action very soon," added Harte on the BBC.
Harte has made one change to his starting line-up, bringing in Brian McGuigan at centre forward with Martin Penrose dropping to the bench. However, with question marks continuing over McGuigan's fitness Penrose may again be called upon following his fine performance against Wexford.
Kerry manager Pat O'Shea will have Kieran Donaghy available to spearhead his attack after the full forward overcame a knee injury that had threatened his involvement.
O'Shea has nevertheless made two changes to his selection with Tommy Griffin making way for Padraig Reidy and Darragh Ó Sé, suspended for the semi-final replay against Cork, returning to his midfield berth.
Team captain Paul Galvin will have to settle for a place on the bench after his summer of suspension with Tomas Ó Sé assuming the leadership duties on the field of play.
Kerry: D Murphy; M Ó Sé, T O'Sullivan, P Reidy; T Ó Sé (c), A O'Mahony, K Young; D Ó Sé, S Scanlon; B Sheehan, D O'Sullivan, E Brosnan; C Cooper, K Donaghy, T Walsh.
Substitutes: K Cremin, T Griffin, S O'Sullivan, D O'Sullivan, M Quirke, D Walsh, D Bohan, M Russell, R Ó Flatharta, P O'Connor, K O'Leary, D Moran, P Galvin, A Maher, P Corridan, M Moloney, K Quirke, A O'Shea
Tyrone:J Devine, R McMenamin, Justin McMahon, C Gourley, D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan, C Holmes, E McGinley, B Dooher, B McGuigan, Joe McMahon, T McGuigan, S Cavanagh, C McCullagh.
Substitutes:P McConnell, D Carlin, C Cavanagh, P Donnelly, N Gormley, K Hughes, C McCarron, D McCaul, M McGee, R Mellon, R Mulgrew, O Mulligan, S O'Neill, M Penrose, PJ Quinn.