Eamonn Callaghan takes over from Johnny Doyle to lead Kildare against Offaly

Eamonn Callaghan has been confirmed as Kildare football captain ahead of Saturday’s Leinster quarter-final against Offaly at Croke Park, helped by his return to full fitness after a lengthy period of injury.

Now one of Kildare’s most experienced players, Callaghan takes over the role from Johnny Doyle, who captained Kildare for the past three seasons, yet these days is a little less certain of a starting place.

Callaghan is set to take one of the forward positions for Saturday's game (the first part of the Croke Park double-bill with Dublin-Westmeath) as manager Kieran McGeeney is preparing to select off a largely injury-free panel: Callaghan only played a limited role in the league after undoing a groin operation late last year, although midfielder Hugh Lynch wil miss out with a hamstring injury, as will longer-term absentees Brian Flanagan (ankle) and Conor Mellett (knee).

To miss out
Midfielder Sean Hurley is also likely to miss out, for disciplinary reasons. Earlier this month Offaly manager Emmet McDonnell also dropped three players – Ross Brady, Richie Dalton and Sean Pender – for missing training.

Dublin manager Jim Gavin, although now boasting an extremely deep panel, will however be without forward Kevin McManamon for Saturday's game, as he's recovering from a hamstring injury. Fellow forward Alan Brogan is also out as he still recovers from a groin operation.


Gavin to name team
Gavin will announce his team tomorrow night, and it remains to be seen what role Ciarán Kilkenny will play, if any, as he returns from a medial ligament injury, which curtailed his league appearances this spring: "I was out for five to six weeks, but all the rehab is done. I'm feeling fresh now, got to play games for the club over the last few weeks, and good now to go," confirmed Kilkenny.

Also now returned to Dublin training are forwards Eoghan O’Gara and Cormac Costello and which makes the selection for Saturday’s game all the more interesting – and yet difficult for Gavin.

Finally, is appears that Louth will retain home advantage for their Leinster football quarter-final against Wexford, on Sunday week, despite the limited capacity of just 3,500 at their grounds in Drogheda. Sunday’s surprise win over Laois, in Portlaoise, has afforded them home advantage, and the Leinster Council are willing to approve the home venue, provided certain provisions can be put in place in time.