Captain Collins returns for Limerick footballers

LIMERICK football captain Ger Collins has been named in the team to start against Kildare in Round 3 of the All Ireland SFC Qualifiers.

Collins played no part in last weekend’s thrilling win over Longford because of a hand injury but has been passed fit to start against Kildare in Portlaoise at 7pm on Saturday evening.

The player to miss out is Ballysteen’s James O’Meara. Collins starts in the full forward line alongside Seamus O’Carroll and Ian Ryan.

Derry O’Connor, who scored 1-3 after coming on as a sub last week, is again named on the bench.

Kildare have yet to name their starting team but it will be interesting to see if Seanie Johnston makes his first start after making a late appearance in their win over Cavan. Kieran McGeeney’s side are 1/5 favourite with Limerick at 9/2 and the draw at 9/1.

The game is taking place in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise as Kildare’s county ground - St Conleth’s in Newbridge - is deemed insufficient to hold the crowd.

LIMERICK (V Kildare): Brian Scanlon (Ger Griffins); Andrew Lane (Fr Casey’s), Johnny McCarthy (St Kieran’s), Lorcan O’Dwyer (Pallasgreen); John Riordan (Fr Casey’s), Stephen Lucey (Croom), Pa Ranahan (Ballysteen); Seanie Buckley (Dromcollogher-Broadford), Jim O’Donovan (St Kieran’s); Padraig Browne (Fr Casey’s), Stephen Kelly (Newcastle West), Eoghan O’Connor (St Mary’s-Sean Finns); Ger Collins (Monaleen), Seamus O’Carroll (Cappagh), Ian Ryan (St Senan’s)