by Adam Moynihan

National League Division 1 Final

Kerry v Mayo

Sunday 4pm

Croke Park, Dublin

Live on TG4

Kerry manager Jack O'Connor has made two changes to his starting 15 for Sunday's league final against Mayo.

Regular first choice keeper Shane Ryan sat out last weekend's eight-point victory over Galway but he reclaims the number one jersey with Shane Murphy returning to the bench. At midfield, Seán O’Brien misses out having injured his calf last weekend. The Beaufort man is replaced by Barry Dan O'Sullivan.

Attack-minded corner back Tom O'Sullivan is named amongst the substitutes after missing the last four games due to a calf injury but, as expected, Diarmuid O'Connor (shoulder) and Seánie O'Shea (knee ligament) remain absent with both now aiming to return for the championship.

KERRY TEAM TO PLAY MAYO

1. Shane Ryan

2. Paul Murphy

3. Jason Foley

4. Dylan Casey

5. Gavin White

6. Mike Breen

7. Brian Ó Beaglaoich

8. Joe O'Connor

9. Barry Dan O'Sullivan

10. Micheál Burns

11. Paudie Clifford

12. Graham O'Sullivan

13. David Clifford

14. Paul Geaney

15. Dylan Geaney

Subs: Shane Murphy, Conor Geaney, Damien Bourke, Tony Brosnan, Tom O'Sullivan, Armin Heinrich, Ruairí Murphy, Killian Spillane, Evan Looney, Cathal Ó Beaglaoich, Mark O'Shea, Tom Leo O'Sullivan.

As for Mayo, Kevin McStay's line-up shows one change from last Sunday's two-point victory over Donegal as Fenton Kelly makes way for Davitt Neary.

MAYO TEAM TO PLAY KERRY

1. Colm Reape

2. Jack Coyne

3. Donnacha McHugh

4. Enda Hession

5. Sam Callinan

6. David McBrien

7. Stephen Coen

8. Jack Carney

9. Matthew Ruane

10. Davitt Neary

11. Darren McHale

12. Jordan Flynn

13. Aidan O'Shea

14. Frank Irwin

15. Ryan O'Donoghue

Subs: Not named.

After a totally unpredictable Division 1 campaign, Kerry arrive in Sunday’s decider on the back of two impressive victories over last year’s All-Ireland finalists Armagh and Galway. That’s fine form in anyone’s language but they will be taking nothing for granted against Mayo, a team who deservedly beat them as recently as the first day of March.

The Kingdom laboured in that fixture in Castlebar and trailed by seven (0-14 to 1-4) at the break, with Mayo’s midfield dominance particularly concerning. It was only a two-point game in the end but the consensus was that the better team won on the day. The joyous pitch invasion that followed signalled how much victories over Kerry still mean to the westerners.

Aidan O’Shea was influential around the middle third with marksman Ryan O’Donoghue causing problems inside – those two will need special attention if Kerry are to avoid a repeat result.

Kerry are hoping to win their 24th National League title, having last prevailed in 2022 after defeating Mayo in the final on an emphatic scoreline of 3-19 to 0-13. David Clifford scored 1-6 including a spectacular goal into the Hill 16 end, and he and his teammates climbed the Hogan steps again later that year to lift the Sam Maguire.

In fact, each of Jack O’Connor’s previous four league titles as Kerry manager have been followed by All-Irelands that same year (2004, 2006, 2009, 2022).

Mayo, meanwhile, are seeking their 14th league triumph. Winning will draw them level with Dublin in second place on the all-time National League honours list.

This year for the first time the Division 1 finalists will be vying for the Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh Cup, renamed in honour of the legendary Kerry broadcaster who sadly passed away in 2024.

Kerry v Mayo will form part of a double header with the Division 3 final between Kildare and Offaly (1.45pm). The Division 2 and Division 4 finals (Monaghan v Roscommon and Wexford v Limerick) will be staged in Croke Park on Saturday evening.

Follow Adam on Twitter @AdamMoynihan for all the latest Kerry football updates