Hardly the most high-profile match-up on the hurling calendar, but nonetheless a game which will be passionately fought. Down are eager to assert that their provincial victory last year was more than a flash-in-the-pan, while Derry will be keen to prove their worth within Ulster. Both sides will have learned from London's unlikely draw with Antrim and Down manager Frank Dawson has insisted that his team will not take Derry for granted. Injuries and a degree of prudence prompted both managers to delay naming their sides, with Dawson allowing himself until this weekend to deliberate.

Team Selections

Derry: C Stephenson; A Hickey, P McCloy, N Mullen; C McGuirk, D Cassidy, D Ward; R McCloskey, O Collins; H Mullin, J McGonagle, G Biggs; M Collins, R Doherty, J O'Dwyer. Down: G Clarke; M Mallon, G McCrickard, B Smith; M Coulter, Michael Braniff, P Coulter; D Hughes, J McCarthy; B Coulter, N Sands, A Tinnelly; E Trainor, G McGrattan, J McGrattan.

Team News

Derry have been hampered all year by the absence of dual stars Henry and Seamus Downey and Johnny McGurk. Derry also spent the week awaiting fitness reports on Michael Collins, Gregory Biggs, John O'Dwyer and Benny Ward. Down have been boosted by the return to midfield of Danny Hughes and are expecting big things from attacking debutants Anthony Tinnelly and Emmet Trainor.

Key Confrontation

Down's cause has been strengthened no end by the inclusion of the influential Danny Hughes at midfield. Armed with a potent attack force, they will score if given ball and if Derry want to give their opponents the same sort of run as they did last year they will have to win their share in the middle.

View From The Camps

"We feel we can win but are taking nothing for granted. We feel we are putting out a strong team and are very hopeful." - James Keenan (Down Manager).

`If we can reproduce the form we have shown throughout the league we will be satisfied that we can run this Down team close. - Kevin McNaughton (Derry Manager).

Prediction: Down.