Flanagan makes two changes for the Tailteann Cup Final

Kildare manager Brian Flanagan has made two changes to the Kildare team for Saturday's Tailteann Cup final against Limerick in Croke Park (2.30pm), and they are two big calls. 

Callum Bolton was one of Kildare's most impressive performers through the Allianz National League and Leinster Championship campaigns, but he hasn't started a game since the Leinster semi-final defeat to Louth on 27 April when his departure through injury was a key factor in the game. 

His involvement in the Tailteann Cup amounts to 14 minutes against Sligo when he was introduced at half time in place of Brendan Gibbons before he had to be replaced himself. He returned to the squad for the semi-final and was an unused substitute during the win over Fermanagh. The three weeks since that game have clearly allowed him to work on his fitness and he comes into the team at wing forward, with Tommy Gill moving to wing back and Kevin Flynn dropping to the bench. 

There is also a big call in the full back like where Ryan Burke replaces Mark Dempsey. The Moorefield man came into the team for his first start of the season against Westmeath in the Leinster Championship and started seven games in a row after that but it's perhaps a nod to the pace and mobility in the Limerick forward line that sees Caragh man Burke named in the number three jersey. 

Despite his match winning heroics in the semi-final, Brian McLoughlin has to be content with a place among the subs while Neil Flynn, who has linked up with the squad in recent weeks after returning to the country, doesn't make the squad despite an impressive showing for Maynooth in last weekend's Senior Football League Division 1 semi-final in Kildare. 

Eight of the starting team started under Brian Flanagan's management in either the 2022 or 2023 U20 All-Ireland finals, plus Cian Burke who was the reserve goalkeeper in the 2022 final. 

For their part, Limerick have named the same 15 that started their semi-final win over Wicklow. They had injury concerns in their full forward line with Emmet Rigter and especially James Naughton but both have recovered sufficiently to be included in the team named by Jimmy Lee. 

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