Dublin name strong team but Stephen Cluxton absent for Monaghan trip

Goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton is the main absentee in the Dublin team for their league opener away to Monaghan.

The reigning league and All-Ireland champs head to Clones on Sunday for their first outing of the year, with manager Jim Gavin and the front-line players having taken a back step for the O'Byrne Cup in recent weeks.

Evan Comerford of Ballymun Kickhams deputises in Cluxton's absence, as he did in last year's Leinster final.

Cuala's Conor Mullally is the one player from Paul Clarke's O'Byrne Cup panel to be included in the first team, switching from centre-back to join club-mate Michael Fitzsimons in the full-back line.

Otherwise, star players return to the side, with Brian Fenton and Paul Mannion included after doubts during the week.

The Sky Blues will be eager to get their defence off to the best possible start away to the Farney County, but it remains a tricky assignment as Malachy O'Rourke's charges have fared well in the springtime in recent years.

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Dublin team to face Monaghan:

1. Evan Comerford

2. Eric Lowndes

3. Mick Fitzsimons

4. Conor Mullally

5. Eoin Murchan

6. Jonny Cooper

7. John Small

8. Brian Fenton

9. Michael Darragh Macauley

10. Brian Howard

11. Cormac Costello

12. Niall Scully

13. Paul Mannion

14. Dean Rock

15. Con O'Callaghan