Walsh set to start Monaghan game
Will the Kerry management err on the side of caution and stick with the tried and, er, trusted? Or will Pat O'Shea and his selectors throw that caution to the wind and make some bold changes to the Kerry team ahead of the Kingdom's Croke Park re-match with Monaghan?
They are the questions reverberating around the county this week as Kerry put their All-Ireland title and ?three-in-a-row? ambitions on the line next Sunday in their third round qualifier match.
Much of the speculation concerning Kerry?s likely starting 15 revolves around Tommy Walsh and Declan O?Sullivan, with the Kerins O?Rahillys sensation hotly tipped to be handed a place in the full forward line. Walsh has been impressive in training of late and it?s believed Kerry are seriously considering playing the towering Walsh alongside Kieran Donaghy in a two-man full forward line. In the event that Walsh is named to start, Bryan Sheehan could move to the half forward line with Eoin Brosnan, Seán O?Sullivan, Darran O?Sullivan and Donnchadh Walsh vying for the remaining half forward places.
Declan O?Sullivan is making very steady progress following knee surgery six weeks ago but given his lack of match fitness it would appear the former captain ? who was instrumental in Kerry?s win over Monaghan last year ? will be kept in reserve on the subs bench.
Kerry will name their team later in the week but one player not expected to be available is Paul Galvin. As of Tuesday evening Galvin remained under suspension despite his 24-week ban being quashed last week by the DRA.
In their ruling the DRA stated that Galvin?s case be sent back to the Central Hearings Committee, which was scheduled to take place in Croke Park on Tuesday night where it was expected Galvin would be handed a new 24-week suspension.
Galvin can appeal any new ban to the Appeals Committee although there is some suggestion that Galvin will not appeal if the 24-week suspenion is upheld.
Meanwhile, despite the fact that the Kerry versus Monaghan match is the most attractive of the third round qualifiers it is expected that there won?t be a huge number of Kerry supporters travelling to Croke Park for the match.
The trip to Dublin is prohibitive, while the 4pm throw-in on a bank holiday Sunday is unlikely to entice people to travel.
