Ulster SHC Semi-final
Derry v Down
Casement Park, Saturday (2.30)
After a battering in the league and the continuing internal disharmony, Down will be hard-pushed to regain the Ulster title they last won two years ago. They lost to Derry 217 to 0-18 last summer, the only time they have lost to them in the championship. They had contrasting league campaigns, Down lost a play-off against Kerry and Derry topped Division Two.
Team News
Paul McCabe and Simon Wilson are making championship debuts for Down as manager Frank Dawson had a fully fit selection to choose from with Gary Gordan the one player unavailable because of holidays. Derry have named an entirely new full back line consisting of Emmett McKeever, Davy McCloskey and Damien Kearney. Regular forward Dermot Kelly is the only loss up front while Dermot Doherty also makes his championship debut at right corner forward.
Key Confrontation
Down will be looking for inspiring performances from the highly experienced Paul Coulter at half back and Gary Savage and Jon McCarthy at midfield. Geoffrey McGonigle will be the main spinner for Derry in attack and will benefit greatly from the talented Oliver Collins at midfield.
View From The Camps
"It's going to be tight, these are always tight, but we've worked hard, kept a low profile and the spirit is very good. We know our strengths and will concentrate on our own game."
- Frank Dawson (Down manager).
"Down will be a tough nut to crack but we're very strong up the middle, especially at midfield."
- Kevin McNaughton (Derry manager).
DERRY: C Stevenson; E McKeever, D McCloskey, D Kearney; B Ward, D Cassidy, N Mullen; C Murray, O Collins; P McEldowney, Gregory Biggs, Gary Biggs; M Collins, G McGonigle, D Doherty.
DOWN: G Clarke; J Brown, J McCrickard, S Wilson; M Coulter Snr, P Coulter, S Murray; G Savage, J McCarthy; M Coulter Jnr, A Tinnelly, P McCabe; B Smith, M Braniff, E Trainor.
Verdict: DERRY.
Ulster SHC Semi-final
Antrim v London
Casement Park, Saturday (4.15)
A repeat of the semi-final encounter which very nearly caused the biggest championship upset of last summer. There, London came within inches of a famous victory before Antrim scraped a draw. Antrim made the most of their reprieve, winning 6-27 to 1-7 in the replay. They have improved under new manager Seamus Elliot and a solid league campaign included a win over All-Ireland champions Offaly. London's arrival in Belfast only a few hours before the game won't help their chances either.
Team News
Antrim line out with both Conor Cunning and Jonathon Flynn making their first championship starts at midfield. Sean Mullen, at full back, is the only other new starter and the entire forward line have seasoned championship experience. Antrim hope that Alastair Elliot will have recovered from the knee ligament injury which has troubled him for several weeks to fill the vacancy at right corner forward.
London have their usually large number of championship debutants including Ray Walsh in goal, Ollie Lee, Darren Duane and Denis Ryan in defence, Damien Hurley at midfield as well as Shane Lynane and Mick O'Meara in the forwards.
Key Confrontation
It's hard to find any area where London will be superior. However, there is scoring potential in the forwards - Timmy Maloney put over 10 points in the drawn game last year - but Antrim will make it especially difficult.
View From The Camps
"We've been working hard for this game and I think the players are in really good shape. Still, we haven't forgotten the escape of last year so we'll be very much in the right frame of mind for this."
- Seamus Elliot (Antrim manager).
"I'm realistic enough to know the scale and size of this challenge but we've forgotten about both of last year's games and put on a brave face for this. It's a two-horse race and we're going to have a cut at it."
- Mick Hennessey (London manager).
ANTRIM: S Elliot; C McCambridge, S Mullen, R Donnelly; S McMullan, G O'Kane, P McMullan; C Cunning, J Flynn; J Carson, C McGuckian, J Connolly; A N Other, G O'Kane, L Richmond.
LONDON: R Walsh; L Barron, O Lee, J J Shiels; B Ryan, D Duane, D Ryan; D Browne, D Hurley; B Keane, S Lynane, D Murphy; E Horgan, T Maloney, M O'Meara.
Verdict: ANTRIM.
