Murdock expected to line out for U-20s as Down name team for Donegal

Down U-20 star Odhran Murdock has not been named as part of the senior panel to play Donegal in Sunday’s Ulster Championship quarter-final at Pairc Esler.

As a result of the new rule preventing players turning out for U-20 and senior teams within seven days of each other, senior manager Conor Laverty was forced into make a tough decision as the Down U-20s are playing in next Wednesday’s Ulster final against Derry.

Down have a number of young players straddling both teams, namely Burren trio Odhran Murdock, Paddy McCarthy and the injured Ryan Magill. It now appears that, contrary to reports earlier this week, their focus will be on their upcoming Ulster U-20 final, but they could still come into the senior panel as emergency late inclusions on Sunday, which would bar them from playing for the U-20s.

Down team to face Donegal:

Niall Kane, Pierce Laverty, Anthony Doherty, Conor Fitzpatrick, Danny Magill, Niall McParland,Micéal Rooney,Conor Poland, Ryan McEvoy, Ceilum Doherty, Ryan Johnston, Liam Kerr, Donagh McAleenan, Pat Havern, Eugene Branagan

Subs: Charlie Smyth, Shane Annett, Anthony Morgan, Patrick Branagan, Daniel Guinness, Andrew Gilmore, Conor McCrickard, Rory Mason, Shealan Johnson, Gerard Collins, Conor Francis