Five changes in the forward line, two changes in defence, the Derry side lining out against Kerry in Tralee will bear little resemblance to the one that succumbed to Dublin at Parnell Park three weeks ago.
I had the misfortune of chancing upon a late night re-run of that Dublin game on TV during the week. There was 59 minutes gone and the sides were level at 7 points apiece. In the couple of weeks that elapsed since the game I had somehow forgotten that Derry were in such good shape on the scoreboard with so little time remaining. With Derry going on to lose by seven points the scoreline after 60 minutes was an indication of how badly Dublin had played up until that point as opposed to how badly Derry were bout to play. Seven wholesale changes for the next game is little surprise.
Paddy Bradley returns to the team to complete what looks like a very strong inside forward line. An inexperienced forward unit failed to get into the game at Parnell Park, so Damian Cassidy will be happy to have the Bradleys available again.
We all know what Eoin and Paddy can do, but the inclusion of Raymond Wilkinson - impressive against Tyrone; injured against Dublin - provides most interest. He will probably play in a deeper position - possibly around the midfield area - with the aim of picking up loose possession and carrying the ball into opposition territory. With the season-long injury to Seamus Bradley and continuing absence of Enda Muldoon, this is a further chance for Wilkinson to enhance his Championship credentials.
In the aftermath of defeat at Parnell Park, one of the few Derry players able to hold their head high was Aidan McLaughlin. He was corner-forward the last day and is picked at right half-forward for Kerry. He comes from a midfield background in club football, so it's a big ask for him to pop into another position and impress. Especially away to Kerry when you're being marked by someone like Killian Young. Another big test for the Craigbane man.
He'll be joined in the half-forward line by Brian Mullan at left-half and the versatile Barry McGuigan at centre-forward. James Kielt is rested as Damian Cassidy keeps one eye on Derry U21s midweek game against Tyrone, but the Kilrea man still takes a place on the bench. All in all, there is strength, experience and - most importantly - scoring power in the Derry forwards. This should give Derry a fighting chance in this toughest of away fixtures.
In defence, the main talking-point is the return of Kevin McCloy at full-back. Lets make no bones about this - he's there specifically to mark Kieran Donaghy. As well as Gerard O'Kane has played at full-back so far this season, he isn't really suited to the big Kerry full-forward. It will do no harm to have McCloy playing here, as full-back could yet prove to be a problematic position in 2010, and the more options Derry have here the better. It also allows captain O'Kane to play at wing-back, where he expresses himself best.
Michael McGoldrick's first start of the season at corner back (in place of Brian McAlary) completes the changes.
So what of Kerry? Well, the good news for Derry is that Colm Cooper makes his first start of the season. He'll play at corner forward alongside Donaghy and Declan O'Sullivan. That's a fairly formidable forward line. Paul Galvin is suspended, Dara Ó Se retired and Tadhg Kennelly back in Australia, so Jack O'Connor's side may be weakened further out the pitch, but in reality, that forward trio might just be enough to help the Kingdom win this or any other game. The three members of the Derry full-back line are playing for places; they'll have their work cut out in Tralee.
Derry lost twice against Kerry in last season's NFL. Timidly. There wasn't much between the sides on the scoreboard, but Kerry hardly ever got out of second gear. With the All-Ireland champions point-less after their opening two games this year, they will be eager to notch their first victory, and we are likely to see more urgency in Kerry's play. This makes it an even more difficult trip for Derry. The Oak Leafers will perform better than at Parnell Park - displaying much more attacking purpose - but if Kerry's own attack clicks into gear, it may not be enough.
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