DERRY'S quota of UUJ Sigerson Cup players, Joe Cassidy, Neil Farren, Sean Martin Lockhart and Paul Diamond, who helped defeat Garda College in Drogheda on Wednesday, have been passed fit for Sunday’s tie against Longford.
Kieran McKeever, on duty with All-Ireland club semifinalists, and Joe Brolly are not included in the Oak Leaf side which has several changes from the team which defeated London 2-15 to 1-6 on November 16.
Cassidy replaces Ronan Rocks in the full-forward line, while ‘flu-hit Dermot Dougan, listed at half-forward, will face a late fitness test.
Meanwhile Peter Canavan returns to the Tyrone team for Sunday’s National Football League Section C showdown with All-Ireland champions Kerry.
The Errigal Ciaran star, who showed signs of a return to his best form as captain of Ulster’s successful Railway Cup team last weekend, will start at centre half-forward.
Brian Dooher also returns after a lengthy injury lay-off while manager Danny Ball has handed inter-county debuts to defender Terry McKenna and Paul McLaughlin, who joins brother Sean in the squad.
Canavan’s club colleagues, brother Pascal and forward Eoin Gormley, also make their first starts of the season.
Out of action are defender Paul Devlin, who has sustained a back injury and Gerard Cavlan who failed to shake off a groin injury.
The duo picked up the knocks in last weekend’s interprovincial victory.
Tyrone (v Kerry): F McConnell, D Teague, C Lawn, S McLaughlin, Pascal Cavavan, C Holmes, T McKenna, Paul McLaughlin, J Gormley, A Cush, Peter Canavan, B Dooher, B McGuckin, E Gormley, C McBride.
Subs: S McCarron, C Loughran, S Corr, S Teague, V Owens, D McIlroy, F Logan, D Gormley.
Derry (v Longford): D Hopkins; P Diamond, N Farren, J McBride, S M Lockhart, H Downey, P McFlynn, A Tohill, D Heaney, G Magill, G Coleman, D Dougan, J Cassidy, S Downey, B Murray.
Subs: D Hasson, A Heaney, E Burns, B McCormick, C Higgins, S McLarnon, F Devlin, AN Other. Leitrim (v Mayo): G Phelan, C Murray, A Charles, D Kelleher, C Regan, F Davitt, S McGettigan, R Logan, S Quinn, G Dugdale, A Rooney, F McBrien, C Carroll, A Cullen, G Bohan.
CLIFTONVILLE manager Marty Quinn yesterday narrowly failed in an attempt to bring Paul Stokes back to Solitude.
The former Reds striker was reportedly keen to return to the premier league table-toppers from National League side Shamrock Rovers.
Quinn is expected to sign a new striker, following the news that Jody Tolan will not play in Saturday’s crunch league fixture against Ballymena at Solitude.
Damien O’Reilly may have to have his right knee re-structured, after being told never to play Gaelic football again.
The Cavan star, who played a pivotal role in the county’s surge to Ulster title glory last summer, has taken specialist medical advice to quit the game.
It was a second opinion sought as to whether he could play again in his county colours, that called an end to the player’s career.
Now O’Reilly, after several knee operations to mend damaged ligaments, may face a operation to rebuild his knee.
