JIM GAVIN HAS named his starting 15 for Dublin’s opening Allianz League Division 1 fixture, with seven of last year’s All-Ireland winning team named to start against Kildare in Croke Park on Saturday evening. [Throw-in, 7pm - eir sport 2]
Stephen Cluxton will make his 97th league appearance as Dublin goalkeeper, while Michael Fitzsimons, John Small and James McCarthy all come in to make up an experienced defensive unit.
Brian Fenton, Ciarán Kilkenny and Dean Rock are also drafted in from the side that captured a third consecutive All-Ireland title last September.
Michael Darragh Macauley comes in to partner up with Fenton in midfield, while seasoned attacker Bernard Brogan takes up his position in the inside forward line.
Brian Howard and Colm Basquel, who were both part of last year’s All-Ireland U21 winning side, are also selected to start.
Dublin:
1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)
2. David Byrne (Naomhh Olaf)
3. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala)
4. Darren Daly (Fingal Ravens)
5. Eric Lowndes (St Peregrine’s)
6. James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams)
7. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
8. Brian Fenton (Raheny)
9. Michael Darragh Macauley (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
10. Brian Howard (Raheny)
11. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock)
12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge St)
13. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
14. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams)
15. Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh)
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Great fighter and great steal for Bellator. UFCs partnership with Reebok is turning a lot of fighters against them. Good to see Bellator getting stronger as they promote Irish lads under the Bamma banner
Donegals Joesph Duffy has left the UFC also. He refused a new contract. The Reebok deal really is screwing up the fighters earning capacity.
@Gary: Ryan Bader came out recently and said he was earning 3-4 times more at Bellator due to sponsorships than at UFC since the Reebok deal. Hopefully more follow and switch
@brucelee on the decline?? He’s top 5 and if he beat weidmen (highly likely he would have) could have got a title shot
@Ronan Barrett: he did beat Weidman
He’s on the decline but this signing is a great statement by bellator.
@Bruce Lee: Please explain how he is on the decline.
As step backwards for mousasi , bet he will be back in UFC after fight deal ends .
Hope he fights at LHW because middleweight is barren in Bellator. They have a few big name old fighters they could feed to him. Then he can get revenge on King Mo and win the belt against Bader