Derry name side for championship visit of Antrim

By Michael McMullan

DERRY manager Ciarán Meenagh has named his squad for Saturday’s Ulster Championship visit of Antrim.

There are three changes from their last outing, the victory over Cavan.

Conor McCluskey returns for a first start since victory over Tyrone in February.

Conor Doherty is also back after missing the Cavan game.

Eoin McEvoy set for a first start of the season, having previously had minutes in the Louth game.

It will be a championship debut for Shea McGuckin between the posts, having just joined the panel this season.

Preview: Derry fancied to emerge from home derby clash

It will also be a landmark day for Shane McGuigan who will make his 100th senior appearance.

He made his debut nine years ago, coming on as a sub in a championship defeat at the hands of Tyrone.

Injured duo Matthew Downey and Dan Higgins miss out while Patrick McGurk and James Murray are among an inexperienced list of substitutes.

Only Niall Toner (29 appearances), Shea Downey (10), Patrick McGurk (4) and Ryan Mulholland (1) have ever played in the championship.

Derry go in search of a first Ulster Championship victory since their 2023 Ulster final win on penalties against Armagh.

Incidentally, they are bidding for a first championship win since the 2024 penalty shootout win over Mayo in Castlebar.

Derry won the McKenna Cup game between the teams in January and will go into the game as favourites.

The winners will face a semi-final clash against Cavan or Monaghan who lock horns in Clones.

DERRY
Shea McGuckin
Diarmuid Baker
Ruairí Forbes
Conor McCluskey
Conor Doherty
Gareth McKinless
Paudi McGrogan
Eoin McEvoy
Brendan Rogers
Ethan Doherty
Conor Glass
Paul Cassidy
Niall Loughlin
Shane McGuigan
Lachlan Murray
SUBS
Ryan Scullion
Charlie Diamond
Shea Downey
Sean Kearney
Patrick McGurk
Ryan Mulholland
James Murray
Niall O’Donnell
Ruairí Ó Mianáin
Niall Toner
Sean Young

Check out this week’s preview of the Ulster games with former Cavan star Killian Clarke