Kildare make changes for Leitrim clash 

Kildare manager Brian Flanagan has made a number of changes to his team as he looks to reinvigorate his side ahead of the Tailteann Cup. 

The Lilywhites start with a home tie against Leitrim on Saturday at 5pm and among the changes is the very welcome sight of Jimmy Hyland returning to the starting line up.

The Ballyteague man has endured a horrific time with injuries and this will in fact be his first Championship start since the Qualifier defeat to Mayo during Glenn Ryan's first season in charge back in 2022. A fully fit and firing Jimmy Hyland could make such a difference to the Kildare forward line, and perhaps even than ever now given that the new rules might play right into his hands, and you can keep your fingers crossed that he gets some long overdue luck on the injury front and gets to show what he can do once again. 

There are a number of interesting calls elsewhere, most notably the return to the starting team of former captain Mick O'Grady but not in his usual position of full back, but in midfield. O'Grady had been a stalwart in the Kildare defence for over a decade before losing his place to Mark Dempsey in this year's Leinster Championship but midfield is position that he has regularly played in for his club, including in last year's county final.

Harry O'Neill returns to the full back line a month on from receiving a very nasty facial injury in the Leinster Championship quarter-final win over Westmeath. 

Naas duo Paddy McDermott and Jack McKevitt and the Caragh pair of Ryan Burke and Darragh Swords also come into the team. 

Brian Byrne, Ben McCormack and Brian McLoughlin drop to the bench while Callum Bolton, Colm Dalton, Tommy Gill and Cathal Hagney aren't in the matchday squad.