Kerry display league ambitions by beginning with a show of strength

Nine members of the Kerry team which won the All-Ireland football title earlier this month will start in the Allianz National Football League opener against Louth in Killarney on Saturday.

Among the absentees are Darragh O Se, Dara O Cinneide and Tomas O Se, all of whom have club commitments with An Ghaeltacht over the next three weeks - although O Cinneide is among the substitutes.

Aodhan Mac Gearailt is the only Ghaeltacht player included in the surprisingly strong line-up, and while the club had requested that all the players be excused from county duty this weekend, manager Paidi O Se, a Ghaeltacht man, has decided to compromise somewhat because he is keen to begin the campaign with a win.

An Ghaeltacht are through to the county final and are involved in the special Millennium Championship, the winners of which represent Kerry in the Munster club championship on November 19th.

As a result, Stephen O'Sullivan steps in for Tomas O Se at half back and Kenneth Dillon joins Donal Daly at midfield. Peter O'Leary takes over the goalkeeping duties from Declan O'Keeffe who is resting. Also resting because of Millennium Championship duty with Glenfesk next Monday is captain Seamus Moynihan, and with Michael McCarthy moving to full back, Mossy Lyons starts in the corner.

Maurice Fitzgerald was originally selected in the starting line-up, after spending the entire championship campaign as a substitute. But O Se was then informed that Fitzgerald is departing for a holiday on Saturday, apparently planned some weeks ago, and the centre forward position has now been left vacant.

There is also a doubt about the full forward position. Denis O'Dwyer had hoped to start but is suffering from a lower leg injury and the slot has been left vacant until closer to throw-in time on Saturday.

Liam Hassett moves out to the wing, while Michael Francis Russell and John Crowley stay in their respective corners. O Cinneide at full forward.

Opponents Louth, the newly promoted Division Two champions, start with 11 of the side that narrowly fell to Kildare in the Leinster championship first round. Ken Reilly returns to midfield after taking a year out to concentrate on his studies, although a vacancy has been left at half back.

Dublin have several players unavailable. The Na Fianna contingent of Dessie Farrell, Senan Connell, Tom Lynch and Jason Sherlock (who is now concentrating full-time on Gaelic football at the expense of soccer) will sit out Sunday's opener with Tyrone at Parnell Park as they will be involved in the Leinster club championship the following weekend against Longford champions Abbeylara.

Manager Tom Carr won't announce his team until this evening but also missing will be Colin Moran (hip injury), Jim Gavin (just back from honeymoon), Brian Stynes (on his way to Australia for his brother Jim's wedding), Paul Curran (on a break) and Mick O'Keeffe (abroad due to his studies).

As a result, Vinny Murphy will be the only forward available from the team that started the losing Leinster final replay against Kildare. Ian Robertson may return from injury.

Cork, relegated last season, start life in Division Two A by hosting Ulster champions Armagh, who also slipped from the upper flight. Alan Cronin's recent performances for Nemo Rangers in the Cork county championship (he scored 1-4 in the title win over Carbery) have earned him a place at right corner forward. Older brother Martin returns to his regular half-back slot.

Six of the team that started against Kerry in the Munster semi-final make Larry Tompkins' selection - goalkeeper Kevin O'Dwyer, defenders Anthony Lynch and Eoin Sexton, midfielder Nicholas Murphy and forwards Philip Clifford and Colin Corkery.

Kerry (SF v Louth): P O'Leary; M Hassett, M McCarthy, M Lyons; S O'Sullivan, E Fitzmaurice, T O'Sullivan; D Daly, K Dillon; A Mac Gearailt, AN Other, L Hassett; MF Russell, AN Other, J Crowley. Subs: D O'Keeffe, E Galvin, K Burns, E Brosnan, S Hegarty, D O Cinneide, B Sheehan, J O'Connor, M O Se.

Louth (SF v Kerry): C Nally; B Philips, Denis Reilly, S Melia; AN Other, N Malone, S Gerrard; K Reilly, M Farrelly; C Grimes, S O'Hanlon, M Stanfield; David Reilly, D Kirwan, J Rooney.

Cork (SF v Armagh): K O'Dwyer; J Miskella, J Canty, A Lynch; M O'Donovan, O Sexton, M Lynch; B Collins, N Murphy; M Cronin, P Clifford, P O'Mahony; A Cronin, C Corkery, F Murray.

Tyrone (SF v Dublin): F McConnell; R McMenamin, C Lawn, M McGee; C Gourley, S Teague, D McCrossan; C McAnallen, P Campbell; G Cavlan, S O'Neill, B McLaughlin; E Mulligan, K Hughes, D Gormley.