GAA: Collie McGurk names Derry side for NHL opener

DERRY manager Collie McGurk has named his first hurling selection of the season ahead of Sunday's meeting with Down at Celtic Park (12.30).

The side is captained by Oisin McCloskey, one of only four from the side that started Derry's Nicky Rackard Cup Final against Armagh last season.  The others are Paul Cleary, Alan Grant and Darragh McCloskey.

There is a start in goals for Swatragh's Michael Kirkpatrick who is more noted as a scoring forward but he will be an experienced head behind the defence.

Niall Smyth, John Mullan, Ciaran Steele and Odhran McKeever (Kevin Lynch's) bring a youthful blend to the side.  Cuala's Naoise Waldron leads the side from full-forward, with his younger brother Odrán listed on the bench.

Jack Phelan, who has transferred from Cuala to Banagher, takes his place in a defence where Eoghan Gilmore of Ballinascreen also makes his debut.

TEAM: Michael Kirkpatrick,  Colm Murphy, Darragh McCloskey, Eoghan Gilmore, Paul Cleary, Ciaran Steele, Jack Phelan, John Mullan, Niall Smyth, Alan Grant, Oisin McCloskey (captain), Thomas Magee, Darragh Cartin, Naoise Waldron, Odhran McKeever. SUBS: Conor McCrystal, Brendan Quigley, Seamus Higgins, Ciaran Lagan, Odrán Waldron, Aodhan O'Donnell, Liam Murphy, Gavin McCormick, Tim Rankin, Patrick Turner, Ryan Farren.