Dermot Earley has been named in the Kildare starting line-up for the All-Ireland semi-final clash with Down this weekend.
Earley was a major doubt for the game after being withdrawn in the opening minutes of the Lilywhites’ quarter-final victory over Meath with a knee injury.
The All-Star midfielder has since undergone surgery on his troubled knee and will line out in a side that shows no changes from the fifteen that started against the Royals four weeks ago.
Kieran McGeeney has made one positional switch to the side, with John Doyle lining out in the half forward line and Eoghan O’Flaherty taking Doyle’s place at right corner-forward.
Throw in for the clash with Down is at 3.30 pm on Sunday at Croke Park.
Kildare (SFC v Down): S McCormack; P Kelly, H McGrillan, A Mac Lochlainn; M O’Flaherty, E Bolton, B Flanagan; D Flynn, D Earley; J Kavanagh, P O’Neill, J Doyle; E O’Flaherty, A Smith, E Callaghan.
