Lynch to start in Breffni

Derry have made four changes to their starting team for Saturday's NFL game in Breffni Park (7pm).  


Banagher's Mark Lynch played a pivotal role in the second half against Fermanagh and gets the nod to start this week.

Stationed last week at full forward, Lynch is named at midfield in what is essentially the team that finished against Fermanagh.

Losing out is Swatragh's Conor McAtamney but it won't be until the ball is thrown in that Derry's strategy will be apparent.  Will Lynch or Bell play at midfield?

Glenullin netminder Eoin McNicholl is selected ahead of Thomas Mallon, Mark Craig is listed at centre back with Neil Forester losing out and Conor Kearns drops to the bench with Christopher 'Sammy' Bradley operating in the half forward line.

The only other switch is positional with Danny Heavron wearing number seven and Ciaran McFaul listed at centre half forward.  

This matters little as both men are utilised as attackers from deep, but with Craig holding the centre McKinless will have more freedom to carry possession.  He won the penalty in the McKenna Cup game so Terry Hyland will be conscious of Ballinderry man's direct running.


With the attacking threat of half backs Conor Moyna and Ciaran 'The Holla' Brady prominent the last time the sides met, Derry will be hoping to have a strong attacking threat and make the dynamic Cavan duo concentrate on their defensive duties.

It's highly unlikely that Kielt, O'Boyle and Bell will play as a front trio.  Lavey man O'Boyle will be the main ball winner in there and always carries a goal threat - Killian Clarke will be patrolling the square to counteract this.

Expect Kielt, Bell, Emmett and Sammy Bradley to be long range kickers Derry will look to get on the ball as Cavan put up their trademark blue wall to protect Raymond Galligan's goal.

Last week both Brian McGuckin and Emmett Bradley spoke of the need to adapt to situations and Derry benefit from both the direct and running games.  

Damian Barton was also concerned with the amount of ball that dropped into Chris Snow's lap, so this key in Breffni Park is knowing when to kick it and knowing when to run it.


In defence Chrissy McKaigue should follow the trend of marking the most physical of the forwards by picking up Eugene Keating with possibly Ciaran Mullan marking David Givney but a lot will depend where Terry Hyland lines his players out at.


Karl McKaigue will be suited to marking Martin Reilly who is likely to play in the inside line with Cian Mackey's industry more suited to a role further out the field.

Derry's are aiming to grab four points before the league break but Cavan are at home and will make the Oakleafers earn anything they get.

Derry

Cavan

1. Eoin McNicholl  (Gleann an Iolair) 2. Karl McKaigue(Sleacht Néill) 3. Chrissy McKaigue  (Sleacht Néill) 4. Ciarán Mullan  (Eoghan Rua) 5. Gareth McKinless  (Baile an Doire) 6. Mark Craig  (Dún Geimhin) 7. Daniel Heavron (Machaire Fíolta) 8. Emmett Bradley  (Gleann) 9. Mark Lynch  (Beannchar) 10. Benny Heron (Baile na Scrine) 11. Ciarán McFaul (Gleann) 12. Christopher Bradley (Sleacht Néill) 13. Cailean O’Boyle (Leamhaigh) 14. Ryan Bell (Baile an Doire) 15. James Kielt (Cill Ria) 16. Thomas Mallon  (An Lúb) 17. Ryan Ferris (Machaire Fíolta) 18. Oisín Duffy  (Forghleann) 19. Neil Forester  (Baile Stíl) 20. Joe Morgan (Cill Ria) 21. Conor McAtamney (Suaitreach) 22. Shane Heavron (Machaire Fíolta) 23. Emmett McGuckin (Machaire Fíolta) 24. Niall Loughlin  (Grianloch) 25. Conor Kearns (Machaire Fíolta) 26. Daniel McKinless (Baile an Doire)

1. Raymond Galligan (Lacken) 2. Padraig Faulkner (Kingscourt) 3. Killian Clarke (Shercock) 4. Killian Brady (Mullahoran 5. Ciarán Brady (Arvagh) 6. Conor Moynagh (Drumgoon) 7. Feargal Flanagan (Butlersbridge) 8. Tomas Corr (Denn) 9. Gearoid McKiernan (Swanlinbar) 10. Martin Reilly (Killygarry) 11. David Givney (Ballymun Kickhams) 12. Dara McVeety (Crosserlough) 13. Cian Mackey (Castlerahan) 14. Eugene Keating (Kilmacud Crokes) 15. Paul O’Connor (Cavan Gaels)