New Dublin manager Tommy Lyons intends using Sunday's meeting with Westmeath in the O'Byrne Cup to liberally experiment with new players. It will be the first time that Lyons takes charge of a Dublin game since coming in as manager just over two weeks ago.
On Tuesday night, Lyons had his first training session with the Dublin panel. Through a combination of his planning and the unavailability of many familiar faces, it was a panel of about 35 players built largely in youth. The team for Sunday's game in Mullingar is due for release later today.
"We will be giving people the chance to show us that they can perform at this level," says Lyons. "And it is an opportunity as well for us to see how well they can play."
From the outset, Lyons knew that some of Dublin's most experienced players would not be available for some time. For a start, the Na Fianna players have been ruled out until after their Leinster club campaign, which this Sunday sees them take on Sarsfields of Kildare in the semi-final at Navan.
That means the absence of team captain Dessie Farrell, along with Jason Sherlock, Senan Connell and Tom Lynch. Also ruled out through injury were Coman Goggins and Ciarβn Whelan, both of whom are still suffering the effects of last month's International Rules tour in Australia. The Ballymun pairing of Paddy Christie and Ian Robertson continue to miss out on football through more long-term injuries, and Jonathon Magee is also set to miss out after picking up an injury in a club match last week.
Yet, Lyons appears excited about the prospect of viewing some of the lesser-known faces: "My intention here is to try out as many players as possible. And that means trying to give everyone an opportunity to play or to come on as substitute or whatever. There are a lot of interested and enthusiastic faces there right now and we want to give every one of them their chance."
There is no shortage of players eager to get a run out under Lyons this weekend. A number of key figures in this year's under-21 side, including defenders Manus Breathnach and Liam ╙g ╙ hEineachain, are likely to get a game, while Barry Cahill, a cousin of current Dublin defender Martin, is also in a strong position for a call-up. There may also be a place for Balinteer's John McNally, who is hoping to get one of the vacant places in the forward line.
Dublin then play their second O'Byrne Cup fixture in Parnell Park the following Sunday against Louth, and that game is also likely to feature a similarly experimental side.
