Allianz NFL Division Three, Round 1: Derry v Westmeath, Sunday 28th January, Celtic Park (2.30pm)
With the McKenna Cup now a distant memory, Damian McErlain has recalled the services of his college-based players for Sunday’s league opener against Westmeath at Celtic Park.
Niall Keenan, Danny Tallon, Emmett Bradley and Terence O’Brien are all named in an Oakleaf starting lineup for the first time in 2018.
There is a first outing too for Ballinascreen marksman Benny Heron who joins captain Enda Lynn and Ciaran McFaul – one of three Watty Graham’s players in the first fifteen – in the half forward line.
With Westmeath performing impressively in their pre-season O’Byrne Cup campaign, reaching the as yet unplayed final verses neighbours Meath, victories over Laois and fellow divison three team, Offaly, will have raised confidence within the Midlanders camp, meaning that the home side can be guaranteed a tough opening day challenge.
There is a league debut for Eoghan Rua man, Ruairi Mooney, within a defence that sees Kevin Johnston reinstalled at full back, with Liam McGoldrick adding mobility and pace from centre half.
Returning to near full fitness, Carlus McWilliams brings experience to a youthful bench that also includes Mark Lynch and James Kielt.
The counties last met in league action following their promotion to division one in the 2014 campaign, with the Oakleafers running out comfortable 13-point winners at Celtic Park.
Following many changes to both panels in the intervening years, Sunday’s encounter will be a much tighter affair with each seeking to get early points on the board in what is expected to be a keenly contested division.
Derry (v Westmeath): Ben McKinless; Niall Keenan, Kevin Johnston, Ruairi Mooney; Michael Bateson, Liam McGoldrick, Michael McEvoy; Conor McAtamney, Emmett Bradley; Enda Lynn, Benny Heron, Ciaran McFaul; Danny Tallon, Terence O’Brien, Niall Toner. Subs: Oran Hartin, Eoghan Concannon, Jordan Curran, Conor Doherty, Peter Hagan, Patrick Kearney, James Kielt, Mark Lynch, Padraig McGrogan, Carlus McWilliams.
N.B. The Derry senior hurling team to play Down will be named on DerryGAA.ie on Saturday.
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