Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh has recalled former skipper Chrissy McKaigue to the starting team for Sunday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final tie against Cork in Croke Park.
McKaigue missed the final group game against Clare in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, but his absence was a mere precaution and he has been restored to the full-back line alongside Eoin McEvoy and Conor McCluskey.
Padraig Cassidy is the player to lose out with Gareth McKinless reverting to centre-back.
Read more: Armagh vs Monaghan: Team news and key battles as Rian O’Neill returns for Orchardmen
Cork have made one change from last weekend’s dramatic preliminary quarter-final win over Roscommon at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Nemo Rangers clubman Kevin O’Donovan is named at right half-back in place of Luke Fahy, who picked up an ankle injury last weekend, with Rory Maguire moving to full-back while Daniel O’Mahony moves to centre-back.
Cork captain Brian Hurley is named on the bench, although John Cleary is likely to give the veteran attacker every chance to prove his fitness after he missed the Roscommon game with a hamstring injury.
Derry team
Cork team
Micheál Aodh Martin; Maurice Shanley, Rory Maguire, Tommy Walsh; Kevin O’Donovan , Daniel O’Mahony, Matty Taylor; Colm O’Callaghan, Ian Maguire; Brian O’Driscoll, Ruairí Deane, Killian O’Hanlon; Sean Powter; Steven Sherlock, Eoghan Mc Sweeney
Key Battles
Shane McGuigan (Derry) vs Matty Taylor (Cork)
Shane McGuigan is the best forward in Ireland on current form and is well on his way to winning an All-Star award after being nominated last season.
The Slaughtneil ace was Man-of-the-Match in four consecutive games as Derry retained their Ulster title before topping Group Four to secure their place in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final.
Cork’s full-back line struggled with the pace and power of Roscommon at times last Saturday and John Clearly might decide to sacrifice Matty Taylor to tag McGuigan this weekend.
Brendan Rogers (Derry) vs Ian Maguire (Cork)
Derry’s captain Conor Glass is likely to drop back as an extra defender at times during Sunday’s tie and his midfield partner Brendan Rogers will have more of a licence to attack.
The Slaughtneil clubman was the one dropping back last season, but the emergence of Eoin McEvoy at full-back has afforded Rogers more flexibility and he has been in great form for the Oak Leafers this season.
Derry’s midfield is one of the best in the country and Ian Maguire will be hoping he can nullify the influence of Rogers on Sunday’s game.
Steven Sherlock (Cork) vs Conor McCluskey (Derry)
When Cork needed leadership in the absence of Brian Hurley, Steven Sherlock delivered against Roscommon. He also hit 1-5 in the stunning win over Mayo and the St Finbarr’s clubman will need to continue in that form if Cork are to have a chance on Sunday.
Derry aren’t exactly short of options at the back and Chrissy McKaigue and Eoin McEvoy could do the job, but Conor McCluskey is the most likely candidate to mark Sherlock.
The Magherafelt native will put Sherlock on the backfoot by surging forward when possible and, like all the Derry team, he is more than capable of taking a score.
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