CIARÁN McKEEVER has taken over the Armagh captaincy from the recently-retired Paul Grane, and will lead to the team for the championship showdown against Tyrone in Clones on May 31st. Steven McDonnell will act as vice-captain.

McGrane announced his retirement earlier this month, along with Francie Bellew and Paddy McKeever, all of whom won All-Irelands under Joe Kernan in 2002. McGrane succeeded current Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney as Armagh captain in 2005 and captained them to provincial glory in 2006 and 2008, but now aged 35, was forced to retire due to persistent injury problems.

Kerry’s quest to reverse last year’s National League final defeat to Derry has received something of a setback as injury concerns remain over forwards Colm “Gooch” Cooper and Tommy Walsh (who are both carrying hamstring injuries) while Paul Galvin is still troubled by a groin strain.

Definitely ruled out is Declan O’Sullivan who has a more severe hamstring problem, as is Marc Ó Sé (knee medial ligaments) and Seamus Scanlon (ankle), while Padraig Reidy and Aidan O’Shea are nursing more minor injuries.

Yet according to Kieran Donaghy, Kerry have already achieved their main goal of this year’s league: “The pressure to make the final was not an issue this year as the main target for Jack O’Connor was to improve and strengthen the squad and get everyone to blend in,” he said. “It was about getting everyone a game and getting some of the young players and fringe players a chance to sample what it’s like to play for the Kerry team in competitive games. I think Jack has done that well this year and he has used over 30 players and still managed to remain unbeaten.

“Everybody has come in on level terms as it were, the slate has been wiped clean and we all start from scratch. Jack has been very fair in the way that he has picked teams and the way that he has played fellows.

“I think that if you are playing well in training and putting the work in, then you are getting your rewards on the pitch.”