Damian Barton’s men will face Armagh in the first round of the 2017 Dr McKenna Cup
DERRY senior football manager Damian Barton has named a 26-man panel to take part in the McKenna Cup next month.
With Armagh first up, the Oakleaf boss is keen to make the most of the competition ahead of the national league.
“We are looking forward to the upcoming McKenna Cup,” he said.
“The competition will give some players their first opportunity to experience life at senior inter-county level.
“For others it’s a chance to get some competitive games under their belt as we look towards the start of the national league, and those players with their respective colleges will also benefit from being involved in the competition.”
With players such as Niall Toner, Niall Keenan, Michael McEvoy and Callum Mullan-Young expected to feature for the third level institutions, Barton can call upon the returning Enda Lynn – fresh from Railway Cup action – amongst a group with both youth and experience.
The panel features four members from the previous two minor teams (Ben McKinless, Patrick Coney, Jack Doherty and Patrick Kearney) that won the Ulster title in 2015, reaching the decider again in July of this year under Damian McErlain’s guidance.
2016 U21 captain Jason Rocks has also been included having featured strongly in Loup’s progression to the county final.
Following an impressive campaign with Ballinascreen, Carlus McWilliams returns alongside experienced Ballinderry defender and Ulster club winning captain from 2013, Conor Nevin, as well as Craigbane’s Aidan McLaughlin.
Derry take on Armagh on Sunday, January 8, at Owenbeg.
McKenna Cup Panel 2017
1 – Thomas Mallon – The Loup
2 – Ben McKinless – Ballinderry
3 – Patrick Coney – The Loup
4 – Peter Hagan – Banagher
5 – Conor McLarnon – Magherafelt
6 – Ciaran Mullan – Eoghan Rua
7 – Ryan Bell – Ballinderry
8 – Conor Nevin – Ballinderry
9 – Aidan McLaughlin – Craigbane
10 – Danny Heavron – Magherafelt
11 – Benny Heron – Ballinascreen
12 – Emmett McGuckin – Magherafelt
13 – Gavin O’Neill – Banagher
14 – Mark Lynch – Banagher
15 – Oisin Duffy – Foreglen
16 – Mark Craig – Dungiven
17 – Jack Doherty – Glen
18 – Michael Warnock – Glen
19 – Carlus McWilliams – Ballinascreen
20 – Patrick Kearney – Swatragh
21 – James Kielt – Kilrea
22 – Enda Lynn – Greenlough
23 – Neil Forester – Steelstown
24 – Jason Rocks – The Loup
25 – Danny Tallon – Glen
26 – Niall Loughlin – Greenlough
