GAA: Derry move to bolster defensive options ahead of Christy Ring semi-final

Defender Liam Óg Hinphey has joined the Derry hurling panel ahead of Sunday's Christy Ring Cup semi-final with Kildare in Inniskeen (4.00), the County Derry Post can confirm.

With defensive duo Cormac McKenna and Colm Murphy both ruled out with suspension for Sunday and the final, should Derry advance, manager Collie McGurk has opted for experience.

"He has been there and done it so you don't have to go through a learning curve with tactics or learn him how to play the game," McGurk commented on Hinphey's inclusion.  "He is a big bonus to have around the place and will play some part."

The Derry management won't finalise their team until after Saturday's All-Ireland football qualifier, also against Kildare, to check on the availability of team captain Chrissy McKaigue and Brendan Rogers, who is a doubt for both games.

"We need to wait on Chris and Brendan, so will delay our selection until the football is over," McGurk explained.

Rogers sustained a dead leg in a late tackle by Donegal's Leo McLoone in the UIster SFC clash last month.

With the hurling game moved to Sunday to accommodate Rogers and McKaigue's dual commitments, it rules out Brian Cassidy's involvement with Derry U20s on Sunday in Clones (2.00).

The Slaughtneil attacker is set to start for the hurlers on Sunday ruling out any chance of playing football in Inniskeen two hours earlier and some 60km away.

"There is too little time between the two games and Mickey Donnelly (U20 manager) has been very decent about it," McGurk added.  "It is good to get that co-operation from the football management."

Ruairi Convery is expected to wear the goalkeeper jersey again.  Mickey Kirkpatrick missed win over Down with a groin injury.  'Kirk' has since opted out of the county panel and scored 0-3 from centre-back in Swatragh's Wednesday night win over Ballinascreen.

Oisin McCloskey and Alan Grant both came on against Down and are expected to play some part on Sunday.

Kildare have seven survivors from the side that beat Kerry in the 2014 Christy Ring Final.

With 2-5 from Jack Sheridan, Joe Quaid's side had a 4-19 to 3-18 win over Wicklow in their last group game to grab top spot.

Wicklow will meet London on Saturday (Dr Cullen Park 12.30) in the other Christy Ring Cup semi-final.