Flanagan names team for National League opener

Fri, 24 Jan, 2025 - 14:10

Ger McNally

There are four league debutants named named by Brian Flanagan for his first Allianz National League game in charge of Kildare when Fermanagh visit Cedral St Conleths Park on Saturday evening, throw in 5pm.

Didier Cordonnier played a Tailteann Cup game against Waterford in Dungarvan last year but the Two Mile House goalkeeper comes in for his first league game.

Further out the field, three of the 2023 U20 All-Ireland winners makes their first Kildare senior appearance. Athy’s James McGrath is named at centre back while Sallins' Colm Dalton and Naas teenager Ryan Sinkey are named in the forward line.

Former team captain David Hyland returns to the team after missing the 2024 season while travelling and Brian McLoughlin is back for his first appearance since the final game of the 2022 season.

Kevin Feely will captain the team as he makes his 100th league and championship appearance.

On the bench, there could be league debuts for Cian Burke, Dean O’Donoghue, Tommy Gill, Cathal Hagney or Jack McKevitt if they are needed, while Kevin Flynn, Daniel Flynn, Aaron Masterson and Niall Kelly offer the experience. Ryan Burke and Darragh Swords, who would also be making his league debut if introduced, are also among the subs after only linking up with the squad in the last couple of weeks following Caragh's run to the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-finals.

1 (GK) Didier Cordonnier (Two Mile House)

2 Harry O'Neill (Clane)

3 Mick O'Grady (Celbridge)

4 Brian Byrne (Naas)

5 David Hyland (Athy)

6 James McGrath (Athy)

7 Ryan Houlihan (Moorefield)

8 Kevin Feely (Athy)

9 Callum Bolton (Sarsfields)

10 Brian McLoughlin (Clane)

11 Alex Beirne (Naas)

12 Colm Dalton (Sallins)