Derry's experimentation with new players continues for Sunday's Allianz National Football League match with Clare in Ennis. Only four of the championship side that lost last July's Ulster final are named in the starting line-up. Manager Eamonn Coleman caused a few raised eyebrows when stating a couple of weeks ago that his team's ambition in the league before Christmas was zero.

As Derry are the holders, the opinion appeared unduly frank but in a way it was unexceptional. Two years ago, when Offaly were the title-holders, one of the team's selectors Paul O'Kelly said that if they retained the league, it would be the "biggest accident since the Titanic".

Expanding on his recent statement, Coleman explains his priorities for the current campaign. "I know it's an important competition, the second most important after the championship, but at the minute we're trying out new talent, looking to unearth some players.

"I'd like another couple of points before Christmas. That way I can get a look at younger players in the big matches against the likes of Meath. We won't be in contention when the play-offs come around. But we've won four leagues in nine years.

"I don't think that winning the league should affect your championship chances - if you're good enough, you can win both - but Meath and ourselves didn't do each other any favours this year."

Last May's protracted league final meant that Derry had to play a championship match against Cavan only eight days later - for a total of three matches in 13 days.

Coleman isn't bothered by the decision of the Ulster Council to abandon for the coming year the province's secondary competition, the McKenna Cup. This was because of the new championship format which has pushed forward all dates to accommodate the open draw All-Ireland qualifier for teams defeated in the provinces. And the idea of playing in January when the other provinces play their equivalent tournaments didn't find favour with the counties.

"I wouldn't have minded playing it in January," he says. "But I'm glad not to have to cope with it later in the year. It's always been a bit of a hindrance during championship preparations."

He is a keen advocate of the new championship format. "I like the new system a lot and look forward to working it. Having a championship with only one match isn't fair to anyone. As well as that, down the years Derry's always had one bad game. This will give us a better chance."

Seamus Downey, scorer of the goal in the 1993 All-Ireland success, has recently confirmed his intention to retire. Coleman doesn't expect anyone else to follow his lead and believes he'll have most of his experienced players back for next January's championship panel.

The manager's retirement was announced in the aftermath of the disappointing Ulster final defeat. But he later retracted the decision. "I was definitely for stepping down after that match. I felt all year that it would be my last. But a few players got on to me and asked me to give it another go. Wise or not, I decided to stay for another year. I'm not saying anything definite about next year but my time's coming nearer."

Galway's team for the visit of Offaly will not be announced until this afternoon. Kieran Fitzgerald is likely to deputise at full back because of an injury to Gary Fahey. Sean O Domhnaill and Niall Finnegan (resting), Michael Donnellan and Kevin Walsh (injured) are also missing. Better news comes with the availability of Paul Clancy (after a family bereavement) and Declan Meehan, now recovered from a stomach upset contracted in the Himalayas.

The Oireachtas hurling final between Kilkenny and Galway scheduled for tomorrow in Nenagh has been postponed until Sunday week, December 3rd, at the same venue.

Ciaran Carey is facing an uncertain future with the Limerick hurling team. According to manager Eamonn Cregan the former All Star does not figure in his immediate plans. Once again Carey has been excluded from the squad for Saturday's Waterford League game against Clare in Ennis. Cregan did say that he would review the situation next year.

DERRY (SF v Clare): M Conlon; J Convery, K McCoy, R Dougan; P Carton, G Coleman, P Kelly; P O'Kane, E Muldoon; C Gilligan, P Murphy, D Boylan; P Bradley, P McFlynn, G Conwell.

KILDARE (SF v Down): C Byrne; J Bracken, M Ryan, B Lacey; D Hughes, M Wright, K Duane; R Sweeney, K Brennan; J Doyle, K O'Dwyer, D Earley; C O'Reilly, A McHugh, T Fennin.

OFFALY (SF v Galway): P Kelly; C Daly, A N Other, J Brady; K Slattery, T Keogh, B Mooney; A N Other, A McNamee; C Quinn, D Quinn, C Farrell; D Ryan, M Keenaghan, B Malone.

LONGFORD (SF v Waterford): G Tonra; B Burke, D Ledwith, C Drake; M Mulleady, D Blessington, E Ledwith; D Hannify, L Keenan; D Barden, P Barden, P Ross; J Martin, P Davis, A Neilan.

WICKLOW (SF v Westmeath): R Hollingsworth; M Coffey, T Burke, B O hAnnaidh; G Jameson, B O'Donovan, C Toomey; D Coffey, S O'Neill; K Byrne, R Coffey, T Harney, T Gill, P Callaghan, J Meehan.