Derry and Fermanagh announce teams
There will be a number of players enjoying their first taste of the Ulster SFC when Derry and Fermanagh lock horns tomorrow.
Fermanagh manager John O'Neill has included six Championship debutants in his selected team - goalkeeper James McGrath, corner back John Woods and forwards Brian Og Maguire, Terry O'Flanaghan, Tomas Corrigan and Sean Quigley.
For the clash at Celtic Park (throw-in 3.30pm), Derry boss John Brennan has gone with a side containing five newcomers at provincial level. They are goalkeeper Danny Devlin, centre-back Charlie Kielt, midfielder Michael Friel and forwards Emmett McGuckin and Cailean O'Boyle.
McGrath has beaten off competition from Chris Breen to don the number 1 jersey for the Ernsiders, with captain and two-time All-Star Barry Owens, Hugh Brady and Barry Mulrone providing the defensive backbone.
Fermanagh's league top scorer Ryan Jones and Kevin Cosgrove are paired together in a new-look midfield and Maguire and Danny Kille, who both helped Lisnakea Emmetts win the All-Ireland intermediate title in February, will lead the visitors' attack.
Meanwhile, Derry skipper Barry McGoldrick will have to undergo a late fitness test on a groin injury. He sustained the knock during a practice match for the squad last weekend.
Michael Bateson and Dermot McBride are tasked with keeping youngsters Corrigan and Quigley quiet, while Swatragh clubman Friel links up with Joe Diver at centre-field.
Although Paddy Bradley is missing through injury and fellow former All-Star Enda Muldoon starts on the bench, the Oak Leafers will still field a strong set of forwards. Eoin Bradley and Conleith Gilligan are part of an attacking sextet that includes players from six different clubs.
DERRY (SFC v Fermanagh): Danny Devlin; Michael Bateson, Kevin McCloy, Dermot McBride; Gerard O'Kane, Charlie Kielt, Barry McGoldrick; Joe Diver, Michael Friel; Mark Lynch, Cailean O'Boyle, Emmett McGuckin; Sean Leo McGoldrick, Eoin Bradley, Conleith Gilligan.
FERMANAGH: James McGrath; John Woods, Barry Owens (capt), Michael Jones; Marty O'Brien, Hugh Brady, Barry Mulrone; Kevin Cosgrove, Ryan Jones; Terry O'Flanaghan, Brian Og Maguire, Paul Ward; Tomas Corrigan, Danny Kille, Sean Quigley.
