EXPERIENCED Kildare player and multi times Championship All Star winner, Paul Divilly of Confey, makes his first start of the season for the Kildare hurlers as they host Kerry in the penultimate round of the Allianz National Hurling League at Manguard Plus Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence, Hawkfield on Saturday (Throw in 2pm).
Paul Divilly returns to the Kildare hurling team for Saturday’s NHL game with Kerry in St Conleth’s Park Photo: Sean Brilly
Divilly has been a stalwart for Kildare over many years now and his inclusion in the side that sits on top of Division 2A is a massive boost for David Herity and the Kildare players.
The Confey man is sited at left half forward and it’s the only change in personnel from the team which neat Derry in Owenbeg two week’s ago. Paul Dolan reverts to his normal midfield partnership with Cathal McCabe with Alan Goss stepping down to the subs bench.
The Kildare team is full of experienced players starting with Paddy McKenna in goals and working the way through the field with Niall Ó Muineacháin, Gerry Keegan, James Burke, Brian Byrne and Declan Flaherty.
The Lilywhites have six points from three games with visitors Kerry two behind. The sides last met in Tralee last February and it was the Kingdom who won with a late surge after Kildare lost two players to Black Cards in the final quarter.
While Kildare have been impressive for the most part in the League so far, there have been patches when their discipline and support play has let them down. If they can eradicate these failings then a win and a home League semi final, at least, is within their grasp.
The game is preceded by the Division 3A Very Camogie League game between Kildare and Armagh which throws in at 11.30am. A big crowd is urged to turn out for this unique double header.
Kildare V Kerry Allianz NHL Division 2A -Round 4, St Conleth’s Park Saturday 11 March, Throw in 2pm Referee: Caymon Flynn (Westmeath)
1 Paddy McKenna, Clane
2 Niall Ó Muineacháin, Celbridge
3 Simon Leacy, Naas
4 Cormac Byrne, Éire Óg Corra Choill
5 Cian Shanahan, Clane
6 Rian Boran, Naas
7 Conan Boran, Naas
8 Paul Dolan, Éire Óg Corra Choill
9 Cathal McCabe, Maynooth 10 10 James Burke, Naas
11 Gerry Keegan, Celbridge
12 Paul Divilly, Confey
13 Brian Byrne, Naas
14 Declan Flaherty, Coill Dubh
15 Cathal Dowling, Naas
16 Seán Burke Naas
17 Micheál Hogan, Maynooth
18 Sean Christanseen, Clane
19 Drew Costello Ardclough,
20 Jack Travers, Leixlip
21 Alan Goss, Celbridge
22 Jack Higgins, Éire Óg Corra Choill
23 Sean Whelan, Ardclough
24 Mark Delaney, Coill Dubh
25 Cian Boran, Naas
26 Killian Aherne, Clane
Management Team:
Manager: David Herity
Selectors: Deckie O’Toole, Nigel O’Hara, Paul Dermody, Sam Ryall
