by Adam Moynihan

Kerry fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief this evening following the reassuring news that David Clifford is fit to start Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin.

Clifford injured his ankle in the early stages of the quarter-final win over Mayo two weeks ago and although he ended up playing 67 minutes, he appeared to be struggling through the pain barrier throughout.

This led to speculation that the Fossa full forward might be a doubt for the Dublin showdown but the fact that he has been named in Jack O’Connor’s starting line-up should put those concerns to bed.

There is also positive news regarding midfielder Jack Barry and hard-working middle-third man Adrian Spillane as both have been listed amongst the substitutes. Barry and Spillane missed the previous match with calf and hamstring strains respectively and were said to be in a “race against time” to make this weekend’s fixture in Croke Park.

Dublin normally release their starting line-up three or four hours before throw-in, and their 26 even later, so we will need to wait until Sunday to find out if injury concerns Con O’Callaghan (hairline fracture) and James McCarthy (hamstring) are back in action.

KERRY TEAM TO FACE DUBLIN

1. Shane Ryan (Rathmore)

2. Graham O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses)

3. Jason Foley (Ballydonoghue)

4. Tom O’Sullivan (Dingle)

5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht)

6. Tadhg Morley (Templenoe)

7. Gavin White (Dr Crokes)

8. David Moran (Kerins O'Rahillys)

9. Diarmuid O’Connor (Na Gaeil)

10. Dara Moynihan (Spa)

11. Seán O’Shea (Captain - Kenmare Shamrocks)

12. Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare Shamrocks)

13. Paudie Clifford (Fossa)

14. David Clifford (Fossa)

15. Paul Geaney (Dingle)

Subs: S Murphy, T Brosnan, K Spillane, P Murphy, M Burns, J O’Connor, J Savage, G Crowley, J O’Shea, J Barry, A Spillane.