James McCarthy from Ballymun Kickhams is the only Championship debutant in the side, getting the nod at wing back.

"It was very difficult to select the team, probably our hardest team to select so far I would say," admitted Gilroy this morning.

"I would be happy with what we have on the bench in terms of bringing fellas on. What is really important in this game is the five (substitutes) that we bring on. They are as equally important as that starting fifteen."

The Dubs boss believes that McCarthy, an All-Ireland Under-21 winner last year, has the right temperament to make the step up to SFC action.

"James is a very level headed fella, he wouldn't be getting too excited about it. He probably would have played a lot more during the league only that he got injured.

"He is right back in form and the games he had played in the league he played very well. He just got injured."

Full-back Rory O'Carroll, who missed the league campaign, is another player who has returned from injury. Gilroy has no fears about the Kilmacud Crokes clubman getting up to the pace of summer football.

"I knew after a couple of weeks of Rory back training that he would slot in fairly quickly," he said.

"We have managed to play about four or five training games ourselves and he looked very comfortable the last couple of nights, so I am happy enough with him.

"He kept himself in pretty good shape fitness wise and he isn't too far behind anyone else at the moment."