Derry Can Claim Derby Victory

The Derry team to play Tyrone at Omagh on Sunday: S McGuckin, G O'Kane, K McCloy, SM Lockhart, P Cartin, B McGoldrick, SL McGoldrick, Patsy Bradley, E Muldoon, J Kielt, P Murphy, P Young, Paddy Bradley, E Bradley, Paul Bradley.

With Division 1 status for 2009 safely assured, Saturday's game against rivals Tyrone affords Derry manager Damian Cassidy the opportunity to once again try out new ideas, and give squad members a further chance to try and claim a first team spot.

After an encouraging performance against Galway, the new(ish) midfield pairing of Enda Muldoon and Patsy Bradley will once again get a chance to shine. They dominated for long periods at Glen, with some superb fielding from both parties lighting up Derry's second half performance. Bradley supplied the defensive work ethic in the absence of the injured Fergal Doherty, while Mudloon exuded class in helping to setup and finish Derry scores.

Cassidy has been at pains to convince us all that Derry are not reliant on just one person. In recent years Fergal Doherty has fallen into the 'over reliant upon' category, but if Derry's midfield pairing convinces once again at Omagh, then the Doherty 'myth' (as Cassidy describes it), will fade even more. And the all-important squad strength will deepen further.

Elsewhere, James Kielt returns to the half-forward line for his first start since the Kerry game. He will be joined there by Paul Young and Paul Murphy as Derry strain to find some sort of answer to the perennial half-forward problem. Paul Murphy holds all the necessary credentials for the centre-forward role. His ball-winning ability is exceptional, and his shooting and passing deadly accurate. He is certainly the potential starter in this berth come May, but the flank positions are still up for grabs.

Young and Kielt will get their chance in Healy Park. But they are under pressure to perform. Enda Lynn (injured) and Brian Mullan - after impressing in recent games - will be waiting in the wings (no pun intended). Young had a decent second half at Glen against Galway, while Kielt looked lively when brought on. They will hope to continue this form against Tyrone.

In the full-forward line Paul Bradley comes in for SLaughtneil teammate Barry McGuigan. His presence completes a Bradley trio in this line, and the change in personnel reflects the competition for this position. Seamus Bradley, Eoghan Brown, McGuigan and Kielt have also featured in this position this season with Barry McGuigan probably most impressive against Dublin.

We will have to wait until tomorrow night to find out if Paul (it seems more efficient to use forenames at this stage) joins (Paul) Murphy in the half-forward line, or if Eoin will be brought out deeper, in an effort to further increase the half-forward options.

In defence, Niall McCusker (injured) and Ryan Dillon are replaced by Gerard O'Kane and Sean Lockhart. O'Kane is likely to be tasked with following Colm McCullagh out the pitch, while McCloy and Lockhart can toss for the pleasure of marking Sean Cavanagh. Lockhart's mobility may give him the nod.

In goals, Shane McGuckin completes the changes by replacing John Deighan, while Kevin McGuckin returns to the bench after missing the game against Galway.

Derry come into this game with little pressure, but against a backdrop that includes the looming cloud of potential relegation, Mickey Harte and his Tyrone team don't quite have this luxury. Nevertheless, the Tyrone side named is reasonably experimental.

PJ Quinn and Cathal McCarron fill the corner back slots, and they will face the prospect of a difficult night against the Bradleys. Sean O'Neill continues at centre-back while Aidan Cassidy starts at centre-forward. Pivotal positions filled by relative newcomers to the Red Hand setup, Harte is proving that despite the clamour for important points, he is intent on building his squad for the summer.

Tyrone's 2009 form has been indifferent, while the Oakleafers - pushing for a top-two finish - have been faring much better. None of this will matter tomorrow evening however, as the intense derby rivalry ensures that the worn old cliche of 'form being thrown out the window' once again rings true. And with both teams displaying a continuing air of experimentation, it leaves this game impossible to predict.

Derry's greater fluency so far in this NFL campaign (where they have a +23 points difference over Tyrone), and an ever-simmering competition for places in Damian Cassidy's squad, might just be enough to tip this one in the Oakleafer's favour.