Dublin's big two go head to head

There is one change in the Kilmacud Crokes team that will attempt to take back the Dublin senior football championship title from Na Fianna when the sides meet in tomorrow's final at Parnell Park (4.0). Maurice Leahy replaces Colin Redmond at centre forward.

Team manager Pat Duggan has otherwise left the team unaltered from the one which beat St Jude's in the semi-final earlier this month. It's the third time in three years that the two sides have crossed paths in the championship, and with three titles each the rivalry tomorrow will be intense.

Na Fianna will field the same team that comfortably beat Ballymun Kickhams and set up their second successive final appearance. They lost the final to Crokes two years ago, but then beat them in the semi-final last year - setting up a championship run that brought them all the way to Croke Park on St Patrick's Day, where they lost to Crossmaglen in the All-Ireland final.

"I think we are that bit stronger this year," says manager Paul Caffrey. "We were a bit shaky earlier on but our preparations for this game have been spot on. Having said that, it's all about performing on the day and this is going to be a huge test for us.

"They beat us well in the final two years ago and we only got past them last year after a very tough semi-final. We know each other very well and I don't expect there to be much between us."

The north Dublin side have been boosted this year by the addition of Sligo's Nigel Clancy at wing back, but it's the midfield pairing of Karl Donnelly and Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney that has consistently caused trouble for the opposition. The forwards are also all highly capable scorers, including Dessie Farrell, Jason Sherlock and Mick Galvin.

For Crokes, the 1995 All-Ireland club champions, the full forward line of Ray Cosgrove, Robbie Brennan and Mick O'Keeffe has a particularly threatening ring to it. They had a lean second half against St Jude's, waiting 20 minutes before registering a score, but there's little doubt that they will be able to match Na Fianna in all areas.

Dublin defender Jonathan Magee will line out at midfield alongside his younger brother Darren. Leahy was a replacement for Redmond in the semi-final, with Ian O'Sullivan also providing no shortage of inspiration at wing forward the last day.

Elsewhere, Dublin's Colin Moran will next week be named as a recipient of a GAA scholarship at UCD. After making his championship debut this summer, Moran proved to be one of the real finds for manager Tom Carr and is also hoping for another strong showing in Sunday's second International Rules Test with Australia.

The Ballyboden St Enda's player will be eligible for Dublin's under-21 side next year.

Meanwhile, Paidi O Se has made it known that he will stay on for at least another year as Kerry senior football manager. O Se was reappointed for a two-year term last year but his plan was to stay on whether Kerry won or lost in last Saturday's All-Ireland replay. It is also unlikely that there will be any change in his selectors.

NA FIANNA (v Kilmacud Crokes): S Gray; N O Murchu, B McManus, T Lynch; N Clancy, S MacGlinchey, D Lynch; K Donnnelly, K McGeeney; M Galvin, S Connell, D Farrell; I Foley, J Sherlock, D Macken.

KILMACUD CROKES: M Pender; J O'Donovan, C Deegan, F Kennedy; J O'Callaghan, C O'Dwyer, R Leahy; J Magee, D Magee; P Ward, M Leahy, I O'Sullivan; R Cosgrove, R Brennan, M O'Keefe.