Posted online: Dec 18th, 2008

By Andrew Jennings

sport@kildarepost.com

Kildare senior boss Kieran McGeeney has spent the past month scouring the county in an attempt to unearth buried treasure ahead of the new season.

McGeeney and his management team (pictured) have staged a series of trial games in recent weeks in a challenge to find a few hidden gems to add to his panel for 2009.

From almost 70 players watched, eight names have now been selected to join up with the senior panel for the upcoming O’Byrne Cup games in January.

The auspicious eight that will look to impress in the O’Byrne Cup and plunder a jersey for the National League are:

Mark O’Sullivan (Celbridge), Ross Glavin (Moorefield), Shane McCormack (Allenwood), Mick Kenny (St. Kevin’s) Eoin O’Toole (Milltown), Paul Cornish (Round Towers), Phillip Hennessy (Ellistown) and Robert Kelly (Straffan).

Some 109 players were invited to trials, but many didn’t attend due to injury or unavailability, while several declined the invitation altogether, citing that they weren’t interested in involvement with the Lilywhites at the moment.

McGeeney’s exclusion of certain players will no doubt cause consternation in certain areas of the county, but ‘Geezer’ will be hoping his selections prove valuable in the New Year, and that the “booty” is on the other foot when the action begins.

(Read more on page 79)