Brian McIver is taking nothing for granted and named a strong team as Derry aim to cement an N Power Dr McKenna Cup semi-final spot when they take on St Mary’s University College at Owenbeg tonight (throw-in 7.30pm).
Derry manager Brian McIver.
Dungiven’s Mark Craig will lead a team which sees McKenna Cup debuts for Peter Cassidy, Niall McFeely, Neill McNicholl and the Loup’s Anthony O’Neill.
Slaughtneil’s Paudie McGuigan comes in for a first starting place alongside Cassidy with Niall Holly set to bolster the midfield.
Eoghan Rua’s Ciaran McGoldrick comes into the full-forward line while Gerard O’Kane makes a welcome return after injury to join the McNicholl brothers in a trio of Glenullin players in the starting 15.
McIver has also named a strong looking bench for what is expected to be a tough test with St Mary’s who, although suffered a heavy 1-16 to 0-08 defeat to Monaghan last time out – beat Fermanagh 3-08 to 1-10.
Derry team: Eoin McNicholl (Gleann an Iolair); Gerard O’Kane (Gleann an Iolair), Dermot McBride (Baile na Scrine), Declan Brown (Baile Eachaidh); Kevin Johnston (Dún Geimhin), Mark Craig (Dún Geimhin) captain, James Kearney (Suaitreach); Paudie McGuigan (Leacht Néill), Peter Cassidy (Baile Eachaidh); Niall Holly (Eoghan Rua), Niall McFeely (Feorghleann), Neil McNicholl (Gleann an Iolair); Anthony O’Neill (An Lúb), Ciaran McGoldrick (Eoghan Rua), Aaron Kerrigan (Clóidigh).
Substitutes: Thomas Mallon (An Lúb), Aidan McAlynn (An Lúb), Conor McAtamney (Suaitreach), Charlie Kielt (Cill Ria), Carlus McWilliams (Baile na Scrine), Mark Lynch (Beannchar), Patsy Bradley (Leacht Néill), Fergal Doherty (Baile Eachaidh), Ciaran McFaul (Gleann), Enda Lynn (Grainlocha), Declan Mullan (Eoghan Rua), Emmett McGuckin (Machaire Fíolta).
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