Football

Mickey Harte names unchanged side for Derry preliminary quarter-final clash against Mayo

Gareth McKinless named on the bench for showdown with Kevin McStay’s in-form Westerners

Derry's Gareth McKinless is foiled by Kerry goalkeepers Shane Ryan during last weekend's All-Ireland SFC semi-final Picture by Maragret McLaughlin
Derry's Gareth McKinless is foiled by Kerry goalkeepers Shane Ryan during last weekend's All-Ireland SFC semi-final Picture by Maragret McLaughlin Gareth McKinless returns to the Derry squad for the trip to Castlebar on Saturday. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

DERRY have named an unchanged starting line-up for Saturday’s winner-takes-all showdown with Mayo at MacHale Park, Castlebar (6.30pm).

Gareth McKiness returns from suspension after his red card against Galway in round one ruled him out of the rest of the group action. Derry beat Mayo convincingly in Division One this season but have lost form since they Championship began. However, their four-point win over Westmeath last Saturday brought an end to a three-game losing streak and should have bolstered morale.

Mickey Harte keeps faith in that side for the trip to the West where the Oak Leafers face a Mayo side that missed out on top spot in Group Two on scoring difference after they drew with Dublin last weekend.

Derry: O Lynch; C McCluskey, C McKaigue, D Baker; C McFaul, E McEvoy, D Gilmore; C Glass, B Rogers; E Doherty, E Bradley, P Cassidy; E Mulholland, S McGuigan, L Murray

Subs: R Scullion, D Cassidy, C Doherty, M Doherty, S Downey, R Forbes, D McDermott, G McKinless C McMonagle, C Murphy, N Toner