Derry and Tyrone teams named

Derry have made a signal of intent by naming a relatively unchanged line-up ahead of Saturday's (7.30) McKenna Cup Final against Tyrone in the Athletic Grounds

Karl McKaigue replaced Ryan Ferris in the first half against Cavan and retains his spot in defence alongside his brother Chrissy.

There is also a family connection around the other change with Shane Heavron starting in attack, joining his brother Danny.  The man to lose out is fellow Rossa attacker Conor Kearns so it's a case of one Magherafelt man of the match for another.

In all the other games Damian Barton and his management team made wholesale changes but this more settled look perhaps gives an indication of Derry finding some continuity and familiarity ahead of what is going to be a tough league campaign. 

Oak Leaf fans will no doubt be interested in how Derry set themselves up.  Will O'Boyle and Bell be stationed inside with the ploy of getting Emmet Bradley and James Kielt to float diagonal balls to stretch Tyrone's defence?  Cavan were able to limit this tactic in the game six days ago. Heavron, McKinless and Lynn can provide the industry combined with a direct running threat. 

Mickey Harte has opted for a different approach and makes thirteen changes from their win over Fermanagh, with only Cathal McCarron and Colm Cavanagh retained.  It shows the depth of resources in the O'Neill County and Harte is using both knock out McKenna Cup games to give his players an opportunity and show what they can offer in the National League.

Derry Team:

1. Thomas Mallon (Loup)
2. Ciaran Mullan (Eoghan Rua)
3. Dermot McBride (Ballinascreen)
4. Karl McKaigue (Slaughtneil)
5. Gareth McKinless (Ballinderry)
6. Chrissy McKaigue (Slaughtneil)
7. Danny Heavron (Magherafelt)
8. Brendan Rogers (Slaughtneil)
9. Emmett Bradley (Glen)
10. Enda Lynn (Greenlough)
11. James Kielt (Kilrea)
12. Benny Heron (Ballinascreen)
13. Shane Heavron (Magherafelt)
14. Cailean O'Boyle (Lavey)
15. Ryan Bell (Ballinderry)

16. Eoin McNicholl (Glenullin)
17. Conor Kearns (Magherafelt)
18. Conor Murphy (Dungiven)
19. Christopher Bradley (Slaughtneil)
20. Shane Mulgrew (Ballinascreen)
21. Conor McAtamney (Swatragh)
22. Neil Forester (Steelstown)
23. Mark Craig (Dungiven)
24. Ryan Ferris (Magherafelt)
25. Peter Quinn (Magherafelt)
26. Oisín Duffy (Foreglen)

Tyrone Team:

1 – Niall Morgan – Éadan na dTorc 

2 – Cathal McCarron – An Droim Mhór 

3 – Ronan McNamee – Achadh Uí Aráin 

4 – Hugh Pat McGeary – Cabhán a’Chaortainn 

5 – Tiernan McCann – Coill an Chochair 

6 – Justin McMahon – An Omaigh 

7 – Barry Tierney – An Omaigh 

8 – Colm Cavanagh – An Mhaigh

9 – Conor Clarke – An Omaigh 

10 – Harry Óg Conlon – Éadan na dTorc 

11 – Mattie Donnelly – Trí Leac 

12 – Cathal McShane – E R Uí Néill 

13 – Lee Brennan – Trí Leac –

14 – Ronan O’Neill – An Omaigh 

15 – Patrick Quinn – Dún Geanainn 

16 – Michael O’Neill – Cluain Eo 

17 – Mark Bradley – Coill an Chlochair

18 – Sean Cavanagh – An Mhaigh 

19 – Pádraig Hampsey – Oileán a’Ghuail

20 – Connor McAliskey – Cluain Eo 

21 – Conall McCann – Coill an Chochair 

22 – Darren McCurry – Éadan na dTorc

23 – Padraig McNulty – Dún Geanainn 

24 – Jonathan Monroe – An Charraig Mhór

25 – Conor Meyler – An Omaigh 

26 – Niall Sludden – An Droim Mhór 

27 – Kieran McGeary – Cabhán a’Chaortainn

28 – David Mulgrew – Ard Bó