Lynch set for Oakleaf return

GOALKEEPER Odhrán Lynch has been named for Derry’s Dr McKenna Cup semi-final with Armagh (BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 4pm) on Saturday.

The Magherafelt man limped out during their county final defeat at the hands of Glen with a hamstring injury.

After Jack Cassidy and Ryan Scullion playing in previous games, Lynch’s return – a 50th at senior level for Derry – will be a boost ahead of the NFL trip to Kerry later this month.

There is still no place for his Rossa teammate Conor McCluskey but Cormac Murphy – also of Magherafelt – is poised to be the seventh debut handed out by Mickey Harte this season.

Derry have used 23 players to date and that number could rise with Niall O’Donnell and Marty Bradley listed in Saturday’s panel.

Armagh found a way back into the McKenna Cup after the 16-point drubbing their u-20 team took at the hands of Donegal was declared void.

With seven points from Oisin O’Neill, Armagh were narrow winners over Tyrone in midweek to qualify as the best runner-up.

Donegal will travel to Castleblayney on Sunday (1pm) to face Monaghan in the other semi-final with the final fixed for Saturday, January 20.

Derry: Odhrán Lynch, Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Chrissy McKaigue, Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Paudi McGrogan, Dan Higgins, Brendan Rogers, Donncha Gilmore, Declan Cassidy, Paul Cassidy, Ben McCarron, Shane McGuigan, Cormac Murphy

Subs: Ryan Scullion, Jack Cassidy, Marty Bradley, Mark Doherty, Ruairi Forbes, Niall Loughlin, Conor McGrogan, Patrick McGurk, Cahir McMonagle, Niall Toner, Niall O’Donnell