Kernan calls on Donegal quartet
Donegal captain Michael Murphy and three of his All-Ireland winning team-mates have been included in the Ulster squad for the 2013 M Donnelly Interprovincial Football Championship.
Led by manager Joe Kernan, the Ulster players are gearing up to play Munster in Sunday afternoon's Interpro semi-final at Armagh's Athletic Grounds (throw-in 2.15pm).
Kernan's charges are the defending champions after beating Munster 3-11 to 1-15 in last year's decider at the same venue, when Mark Poland, Peter Harte and Neil McGee scored their goals.
McGee, his brother Eamon, Mark McHugh and All-Ireland winning skipper Murphy are the four Donegal players selected in the province's 2013 panel, with all of Ulster's nine counties represented.
Monaghan's Darren Hughes continues as captain, leading a 26-man squad which includes eight players from recently-crowned Dr McKenna Cup champions Tyrone.
"Players love playing in this competition, it is an honour to wear the Ulster jersey and a great experience for any player," admitted Kernan.
"Not everyone, and not every team, can win an All-Ireland title but this competition provides an opportunity for the best players across all Ulster counties to play together and to play against the rest of Ireland.
"That is something really special and it is a competition we should cherish. Ulster are 100% behind this competition, and we're in it to win it - to bring back the third consecutive Interprovincial title to Ulster."
Meanwhile, the GAA have confirmed that this year's Interpro football final will take place at Croke Park (throw-in 3.45pm) on Sunday week (February 24) with the proceeds from the game going to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.
The AIB All-Ireland Junior Club Football Championship final between Kenmare Shamrocks from Kerry and Ballinasloe of Galway will act as the curtain raiser at 2pm.
Kieran McKeever (Armagh), Kevin Niblock (Antrim), Tommy McElroy (Fermanagh), Brendan McVeigh, Paul McComiskey, Mark Poland, Benny Coulter (all Down), Darren Hughes (capt), Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus (all Monaghan), David Gibney, Gearoid McKiernan (both Cavan), Pascal McConnell, Joe McMahon, Sean Cavanagh, Martin Penrose, Peter Harte, Cathal McCarron, Justin McMahon, Connor McAliskey (all Tyrone), Michael Murphy, Neil McGee, Eamon McGee, Mark McHugh (all Donegal), Chrissy McKaigue, Dermot McBride (both Derry).
