Team News: Derry names unchanged side from league final for Donegal clash
Mickey Harte's side has had a superb 2024 so far where they topped the National League table before clinching the league title in their Division 1 final against Dublin, and they now hope to bring that same form into their match with Donegal tomorrow
Derry has named an unchanged team from their National League final against Dublin for tomorrow’s Ulster SFC quarter-final clash with Donegal at Celtic Park (throw-in at 6.15).
Mickey Harte's side have had a superb start to the 2024 season where they topped the National League table, with six wins from seven games in the league, with their only defeat coming courtesy of Dublin, when the current All-Ireland champions beat Harte’s side 1-16 to 1-11 in Celtic Park at the start of March.
For their championship match tomorrow, Diarmuid Baker is set to make a first championship start for Derry after being a regular this season in the league, while Gareth McKinless, who was forced off injured in their win over Dublin, he’s been listed on the bench.
The team is backboned by Slaughtneil and Watty Graham players, with the former's Chrissy McKaigue controlling the full-back line, while Glen’s Conor Glass and Slaughtneil's Brendan Rogers continue their imposing partnership in midfield.
Magherafelt players Conor McCluskey and Eoin McEvoy will take up their positions at corner-back and centre-half back respectively, with each player landing three goals apiece in the league campaign, highlighting Derry’s willingness to attack from the backline, and no doubt will be attempting to cause Donegal extreme problems defensively.
In the attack, the Oak Leaf County has scored 16 goals this season, with half-forward Ethan Doherty having a role to play in 11 of them – assisting seven and having the second last pass in four others – and will need to be duly tracked by the Donegal half-back line.
Shane McGuigan, who scored 1-4 in their league final win over Dublin will take up his position inside the Donegal box and will perhaps be the away side’s biggest problem for the afternoon as the Slaughtneil forward establishes himself as one of the most dangerous inside forwards in the country at the moment.
Jim McGuiness has yet to name his side for tomorrow’s championship clash, but with regular starters Patrick McBrearty, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher and Brendan McCole doubtful to start due to injury, all the form points to a Derry victory.
Derry team to face Donegal: Odhran Lynch; Conor McCluskey, Chrissy McKaigue, Diarmuid Baker; Conor Doherty, Eoin McEvoy, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty, Ciarán McFaul, Paul Cassidy; Niall Loughlin, Shane McGuigan, Lachlan Murray.