Derry's football selectors have made two changes for this Sunday's Church and General National football League final with Offaly. Eamonn Burns is injured and his place at wing forward is filled by the versatile Dermot Dougan who moves from the left corner of the attack, which is now filled by regular occupant Joe Cassidy who returned from injury to make an appearance in the semi-final win over Monaghan.
Also out is full forward Seamus Downey whose place on the edge of the square goes to Benny Murray. There are a couple of points about the defence. Firstly Henry Downey and Sean Lockhart are named at centre back and full back respectively, the positions they played in the semi-final although each was selected the other way around.
At left corner back, there is a vacancy. Johnny McBride who was sent off against Monaghan is the likely starter but as his suspension, confirmed this week as a fortnight, is still in force, the county felt that there might be an ethical objection to naming a player still serving a ban.
Asked about how the team was approaching what could be a fourth NFL title this decade, county PRO Gerry Donnelly said: "The players are hungry. Last year as they saw it, on two big occasions they let themselves down. Against laois in the League (quarter-final) and against Cavan in the Ulster final. No matter what you do for a while after that, there's still a feeling that something's on your back.
"For the county in general, it's great because before Christmas we were abysmal. We drew at home to Westmeath and got beaten by 10 points in Ballybofey. In the new year, we had to get some unreal results to qualify and had to suffer a myriad of injuries. I'd say it's only since the Mayo game (NFL quarter-final) that there's been any permanency in the team." Tyrone have been hit by yet another suspension as they prepare for next month's Ulster football championship clash with Down.
Attacker Adrian Cush has picked up an automatic ban after being sent off in a club game. He joins full back Chris Lawn and midfielder Jody Gormley who are also currently under suspension. Stephen Lawn has just completed a four-week ban which also hampered his preparations for the championship opener.
