McCarthy primed to return to action against Monaghan

Sat, 1st April 2017

Dublin make one change to their starting team for Sunday's decisive NFL Division 1 encounter with Monaghan in Clones (2.0).

James McCarthy has been selected at right half-back in the only alteration for the starting 15 that defeated Roscommon last Saturday night in Croke Park.

The Ballymun Kickhams defender has been sidelined since getting injured in Dublin's second match of their campaign in early February against Tyrone.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1: DUBLIN LEAD THE WAY IN RACE FOR FINAL PLACES

Sunday (2.0): Monaghan v Dublin, Clones; Mayo v Donegal, Elverys MacHale Park; Kerry v Tyrone, Killarney; Roscommon v Cavan, Dr Hyde Park.

WHAT’S DECIDED: Roscommon will be relegated after two seasons in Allianz Football League Division 1.

WHO’S IN LINE FOR A PLACE IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL? Dublin (9pts), Monaghan (8pts), Donegal (8), Tyrone (7pts), Mayo (6pts) and Kerry (6pts) are all challenging for a place in the decider on Sunday week.

WHO CAN JOIN ROSCOMMON IN THE RELEGATION BOAT? Cavan (4pts) are most vulnerable, especially as they have a scoring difference of -20 points. Mayo and Kerry (both on six points) are also at risk.

THE GAMES: A draw would be enough to guarantee Dublin a place in the Allianz Football League Final for a fifth successive year. They have beaten Monaghan in three Allianz Football League games over the last two years, winning by 1-22 to 1-11 (group game) and by 0-17 to 0-16 (semi-final) in 2015 and by 1-14 to 0-16 (group game) last year. Mayo lost to Donegal last year while the sides drew in 2015. This will be the first Allianz Football League clash between Tyrone and Kerry since 2015 when it ended level. Kerry beat Tyrone by four points in the 2015 All-Ireland semi-final. Roscommon and Cavan last met in the Allianz Football League in 2015 when the sides finished level in Allianz Football League Division 3.

DUBLIN (SF v Monaghan)

1 Stephen Cluxton Parnell’s

2 Philly McMahon Ballymun Kickhams

3 Michael Fitzsimons Cuala

4 David Byrne Nh Olaf

5 James McCarthy Ballymun Kickhams

6 Cian O'Sullivan Kilmacud Crokes

7 Eric Lowndes St Peregrine's

8 Brian Fenton Raheny

9 Ciaran Reddin Nh Maur

10 Paul Flynn Fingallians

11 Kevin McManamon St Jude's