JOHNNY DOYLE has been reappointed Kildare football captain for 2012, and could mark that with an appearance in Sunday’s O’Byrne Cup quarter-final against Offaly.
Although aged 34, Doyle remains a vital part of manager Kieran McGeeney’s plans for 2012 as Kildare again renew their quest for that elusive All-Ireland title.
Doyle has held the Kildare captaincy since 2010, the season he was finally awarded an All Star, and although injured for parts of last season was among the first to recommit for 2012.
Eamonn Callaghan will also continue as vice-captain, with McGeeney announcing these decisions after last Sunday’s first round win over DIT. Doyle was included among the substitutes that day, but may play some role on Sunday as Kildare continue the defence of their O’Byrne Cup with another home tie against Offaly.
McGeeney is more concerned about performances rather than results as Kildare continue the build-up to the league.
That begins with the Croke Park double-header on February 4th, where Kildare’s opening Division Two clash against Tyrone has been confirmed as the curtain-raiser to Dublin’s Division One clash with Kerry, and a repeat of last September’s All-Ireland final.
Elsewhere, Derry forward Paddy Bradley is set to delay his return to intercounty duty until the start of the league next month.
The 30-year-old suffered cruciate knee ligament damage last April and, although he originally considered a return to action in the Dr McKenna Cup, he is instead taking the advice of medics who have urged him not to rush back to competitive intercounty fare.
“The plan all along was to try and get back as quickly as I could,” he explained. “I’d estimate between the gym and out on the field, running, swimming, I’ve done the work, between 130 or 140 sessions, and the knee feels strong and I’m back training with the lads.
“But I didn’t feel confident enough to play last weekend and I’m taking it week by week. Ray Moran (his surgeon) was talking about people that get back before nine months having a greater chance of suffering a recurrence and, on his advice, it might be best to wait until the start of the league. And that’s what the doctors say too.
“But there are plenty of other people, like Conor Mortimer, who were back in six and a half or seven months and there’s nothing set in stone . . . .”
Meanwhile the GAA has announced details of those nominated for the new Fitzgibbon Cup ‘Team of the Century’, which sees 75 players shortlisted after a selection process including each Higher Education GAA Institutes.
Players to make the list are from various decades dating right back to the competition’s origin: Eamon Bulfin and John Ryan from UCD were winners in the inaugural competition in 1912, while Séamus Hickey from UL was a winner in 2011. The list includes multiple nominees from two families with a father and son, Billy and Tony Loughnane from UCD, plus brothers John and Eddie Enright from UCC selected. For the full short list and further information see irishtimes.com/sports
