Bank of Ireland Dr. Mc Kenna Cup Semi-Final

Monaghan v Derry, Sunday, 2.00, Armagh

Monaghan contest their first Dr. Mc Kenna Cup semi-final since 2013 when they meet Derry at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday.

Monaghan topped Section B with three straight wins over Fermanagh, Antrim and St. Mary’s University. Derry lost to Down in round two, but that was sandwiched by victories against Armagh and Queen’s University, with a big margin in the latter seeing them go top of Section A on scoring averages.

Malachy O’Rourke has named a team showing nine changes for this match, with Conor Forde, Drew Wylie, Owen Coyle, Kieran Hughes, Colin Walshe, Niall Kearns, Karl O’Connell, Barry McGinn, Ryan McAnespie coming in for Rory Beggan, Ryan Wylie, James Mealiff, Gavin Doogan, Karl McQuaid, David McAlister, Aaron Lynch, Stephen Finnegan and Stephen McCabe. Kearns is in line to make his first county senior start after two substitute appearances, while McAnespie is set for his first Monaghan appearance of 2017 in a team with a combination of experience and youth.

Damian Barton has made just two changes to his Derry team that put QUB to the sword, with Ben McKinless and Conor McGrogan replacing Conor McLarnon and Ciarán Mallon. Mark Lynch, James Kielt, Neil Forester, Ryan Bell and Connor Nevin could play key roles for the Oak Leaf County.

Monaghan: Conor Forde; Drew Wylie, Neil McAdam, Owen Coyle; Fintan Kelly, Kieran Hughes, Colin Walshe; Darren Hughes, Niall Kearns; Karl O’Connell, Barry McGinn, Owen Duffy; Ryan McAnespie, Dermot Malone, Conor McManus.

Subs: Rory Beggan, Mikey Murnaghan, Kieran Duffy, Ryan Wylie, Dessie Mone, James Mealiff, Brian Greenan, Gavin Doogan, Conor McCarthy, Shane Carey, Thomas Kerr, Niall McKeown, Karl McQuaid, David McAlister, Aaron Lynch, Stephen Finnegan, Stephen McCabe.

Derry: Ben McKinless; Conor McGrogan, Connor Nevin, Ronan Murphy; Neil Forester, Oisín Duffin, Michael Warnock; Conor McAtamney, Aidan McLaughlin; Enda Lynn, James Kielt, Peter Hagan; Mark Lynch, Ryan Bell, Niall Loughlin.

Subs: Thomas Mallon, Patrick Coney, Gavin O’Neill, Emmett McGuckin, Benny Heron, Carlus McWilliams, Patrick Kearney, Mark Craig, Jason Rocks, Niall Keenan, Niall Toner, Oisín Hegarty, Jack Doherty, Danny Tallon, Conor McLarnon, Barry Grant.