New Derry boss Ciaran Meenagh has kept the faith with the same starting team that claimed back-to-back Ulster titles at Armagh’s expense a fortnight ago.
The Loughmacrory native was appointed as Derry’s manager in the days following the Ulster Final with Rory Gallagher resigning having stepped aside on the Friday night before the provincial decider in Clones.
Meenagh will take charge of the Oak Leafers until the end of the season with Derry set to play at least three games in the new-look All-Ireland series.
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Indeed, Derry will be fancied to top Group Four with a trip to Ballybofey to face Donegal to follow on Sunday, June 4.
Derry will then take on Clare at a neutral venue on the weekend of June 17/18.
Benny Heron was a late call-up for Padraig Cassidy for the Ulster Final win over Armagh and the Ballinascreen attacker has retained his place for Saturday’s tie with Monaghan in Celtic Park.
Ciaran McFaul, who scored the winning penalty in the shootout, is held in reserve once more, but could be a late addition to the starting 15 ahead of throw-in.
Monaghan, meanwhile, have included Ryan McAnespie in their starting 15 after the Emyvale ace returned from Australia recently.
McAnespie was expected to miss the entire campaign, but has cut his travels short and his return is a welcome boost to Vinny Corey’s side after they lost out to Derry by eight points in the Ulster semi-final last month in Omagh.
However, he is included at the expense of star attacker Conor McManus while Gary Mohan also returns to the first 15.
Darren Hughes picked up a knock in the Derry defeat and is on the bench with Karl Gallagher moving out to midfield alongside Killian Lavelle.
Derry: Odhran Lynch; Chrissy McKaigue, Eoin McEvoy; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Niall Toner, Paul Cassidy, Ethan Doherty; Benny Heron, Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin.
Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan O’Toole, Kieran Duffy, Ryan Wylie; Karl O’Connell, Conor Boyle, Conor McCarthy; Karl Gallagher, Killian Lavelle; Stephen O’Hanlon, Micheál Bannigan; Dessie Ward, Jack McCarron, Gary Mohan, Ryan McAnespie.
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