Shane Heavron to make his debut today against Tyrone in Ulster SFC quarter final
DERRY manager Damian Barton has handed championship debuts to Shane Heavron and Niall Toner for today’s Ulster Football quarter-final against Tyrone (THROW IN 2 PM).
Magherafelt man Heavron and Lavey’s Toner are named in the Derry attack.
With Sean Leo McGoldrick ruled out by injury, Kevin Johnston is named at wing-back for the Celtic Park game with Brendan Rogers selected at full-back.
Niall Sludden will make his championship debut for Tyrone in Sunday’s keenly-awaited contest.
Red Hands manager Mickey Harte has made two changes, both of them enforced, from the side that defeated Cavan in the NFL Division Two final last month.
Cathal McShane and Richard Donnelly come into the half forward line.
Both Sludden and Peter Harte move from attack to defence, replacing injured pair Justin McMahon and Rory Brennan.
McMahon and Brennan are both ruled out by hamstring injuries.
Darren McCurry has recovered from injury, but has not been able to force his way into the starting line-up, with Harte opting for in-form pair Ronan O’Neill and Connor McAliskey in the attacking corners.
Skipper Sean Cavanagh, the only remaining link with the 2003 breakthrough All-Ireland triumph, will make a record 80th championship appearance, skippering the team from full forward.
Conor Meyler and Conor Clarke have both been ruled out by hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, while Niall Morgan has not recovered from a broken bone in a hand, with Mickey O’Neill once again playing in goal.
The Tyrone team includes 10 of the side that started last August’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry.
Tyrone will go into the game as strong favourites but Derry boss Barton believes his team can cause an upset.
“I’m confident we can go and win in Celtic Park. Without doubt,” said Barton.
“We have some fantastic players. We are in a period of transition and I’m not undermining Tyrone’s characteristics because we know they have a classical defensive set-up and a classic counter-attacking team.
“We have to concentrate on us. We made too many basic errors (during the Football League), turning the ball over too easily and unfortunately they have been punished by teams like Tyrone.
“We’ve had to learn from that.”
With Toner named at left full-forward, Ryan Bell and Cailean O’Boyle have to be content with places on a bench which also includes fit-again Dermot McBride and Gerard O’Kane.
Derry: T Mallon; O Duffy, B Rogers, K McKaigue; K Johnston, C McKaigue, G McKinless; N Holly, D Heavron; S Heavron, J Kielt, C McFaul; N Toner, E McGuckin, M Lynch.
Tyrone: M O’Neill, A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron, T McCann, N Sludden, P Harte, C Cavanagh, M Donnelly, C McShane, M Bradley, R Donnelly, C McAliskey, S Cavanagh, R O’Neill.
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