Derry hurling set for historic debut

They may not be planning fireworks or a carnival to mark the occasion, but Derry's debut in Division One hurling - against Waterford at Ballinascreen on Sunday, a switch from the original venue at Celtic Park - will, nevertheless, be one to remember for the northern team.

Despite missing two players who would normally expect to be in the side (Gary Biggs will be on honeymoon and Raymond O'Hagan is due to have his tonsils removed), Derry have been boosted by the availability of their Railway Cup player Oliver Collins, who has recovered from a recent injury.

Collins starts in midfield alongside Declan Cassidy, while the team's other interprovincial representative, Geoffrey McGonigle, lines out at full forward.

One of the more interesting inclusions in attack is former Tipperary Under-21 player John O'Dwyer, who is now domiciled in Derry. But, overall, it's a "tried and trusted team", according to county official Gerry Donnelly.

Indeed, the strength of the Waterford selection has pleased Derry, who would have felt slighted if the visitors had decided to put out an understrength side.

"It's a sign that Waterford are treating us with great respect," said Donnelly, "and, hopefully, we can prove we belong at this level."

Offaly manager Pat Fleury has opted to use the new league campaign to blood some of the younger members of his squad, and four of them will be thrown in at the deep end for Sunday's encounter with Galway at Ballinasloe. Mick O'Hara, Dara Kelly, Brendan Murphy and Conor Gath will make their league debuts after impressing in recent challenge games.

Veteran defender Martin Hanamy has yet to return to the Offaly squad, while a number of Birr players have decided to take a brief rest after the disappointment of their All-Ireland club semi-final defeat to Athenry last Sunday. Gary Hanniffy, however, has made himself available and he will line out at corner forward.

Fergus Flynn, who played for Galway in last year's league final, will return to Clare colours for Sunday's game with Kerry. Flynn had previously represented Clare at minor and Under-21 level before declaring for Galway, but he is now back in the Clare fold.

None of the St Joseph's players (who are involved in tomorrow's All-Ireland club semi-final replay with Cushendall) were considered for selection, and four players are introduced to league fare.

Goalkeeper Ger O'Connell, defender Colm Forde, midfielder Gerry Quinn and attacker Ken Ralph, a native of Tipperary, make their debuts.

Cushendall have been given a significant boost for their match with St Joseph's at Parnell Park tomorrow. Centre half back Ryan McNaughton, who was forced to retire from the drawn game with a groin strain, has undergone intensive treatment all week and has been given the all-clear to start. St Joseph's, the defending champions, will revert to their traditional maroon jerseys for tomorrow's game, with Cushendall changing to the Antrim colours.

Meanwhile, Castlebar optician Mark Deely, a native of Kildare, has been appointed manager of the Mayo hurling team. He succeeds Joe Henry, who stepped down last week. Deely's first task is to prepare his team for Sunday's Division Three encounter away to Sligo.

And it has emerged that Crossmolina are on a £5,000 sweetener should they manage to defeat Leinster and Dublin champions Na Fianna in their All-Ireland football semi-final at Pearse Park, Longford, on Sunday. The deal was struck with WebMedia Ltd - which specialises in setting up sites for county boards and clubs - prior to the Mayo county final and, now, Crossmolina are only one match away from reaching the criteria.