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Kildare manager Glenn Ryan. Evan Treacy/INPHO

Kildare make one change ahead of Leinster final showdown against Dublin

The sides will do battle on Saturday evening at Croke Park.

KILDARE HAVE MADE one change to the side that will take on Dublin in the Leinster SFC final on Saturday evening at Croke Park [Throw-in, 5pm, RTÉ 2].

Ryan Houlihan comes into the Kildare defence to start ahead of Mike Joyce, as Glenn Ryan’s side go in search of a first senior provincial crown for the county since 2000.

Elsewhere, Tony Archbold, James Murray and Kevin Flynn make up the half-back line while Kevin Feely and Kevin O’Callaghan pair up at midfield.

Daniel Flynn poses a major threat to the defending champions Dublin as he takes up his usual spot at full-forward, with Darragh Kirwan and Jimmy Hyland slotting into the two corners.

Kildare booked their spot in the decider after getting the better of Westmeath earlier this month.

Dublin boss Dessie Farrell is yet to show his hand.

Kildare 

1. Mark Donnellan (Maynooth)

2. Mick O’Grady (Celbridge), 3. Shea Ryan (Sarsfields), 4. Ryan Houlihan (Moorefield)

5. Tony Archbold (Celbridge), 6. James Murray (Moorefield), 7. Kevin Flynn (Celbridge)

8. Kevin Feely (Athy), 9. Kevin O’Callaghan (Celbridge)

10. Alex Beirne (Naas), 11. Ben McCormack (Sarsfields), 12. Paul Cribbin (Johnstownbridge)

13. Darragh Kirwan (Naas), 14. Daniel Flynn (Johnstownbridge), 15. Jimmy Hyland (Ballyteague)

Meath and Dublin face off in the Leinster senior ladies football final beforehand at HQ [throw-in 2.30pm, live on TG4].

It will be an historic occasion as the two provincial finals share the same venue for the first time, with reigning All-Ireland and Division 1 league champions Meath facing eight in-a-row provincial winners Dublin.

The rivals will go head-to-head for the third time this year — it’s currently 1-1 — and in their first final since the Royals famously ended the Drive for Five last September.

Both managers ring the changes from their last outings; Mick Bohan making three with goalkeeper Ciara Trant, Aoife Kane and Hannah Tyrrell returning to the starting line-up, and there’s five switches for Eamonn Murray as captain Shauna Ennis, Mary Kate Lynch, Emma Duggan, Aoibheann Leahy and Niamh O’Sullivan are all drafted back in.

Meath (v Dublin): M McGuirk; S Ennis (capt.), M.K. Lynch, O Duff; N Gallogly, E Troy, A Cleary; M O’Shaughnessy, O Lally; M Thynne, E Duggan, A Leahy; V Wall, S Grimes, N O’Sullivan.  

Dublin (v Meath): C Trant; J Tobin, L Caffrey, M Byrne; A Kane, S Goldrick, O Nolan; J Dunne, K McDaid; K Sullivan, C O’Connor, S Wylde; L Davey, H Tyrrell, N Hetherton.  
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