New-look Celtic Park

In 1990 a newly-refurbished Celtic Park re-opened its doors to Senior Championship football when Derry hosted Fermanagh in the Ulster SFC. In the 19 years since, the ground has received numerous facelifts, but now, the covered, seated stand it was crying out for has finally been erected.It will be offically opened on Sunday for the Derry v Monaghan game, and now looks like a venue capable of hosting games of this magnitude.

The Monaghan players and management have been falling over themselves this week to describe Celtic Park as a 'fortress' for Derry. The Oakleafer's record there makes it hard to argue. Fermanagh left Derry City defeated in the opening game back in 1990, and since then Derry have only suffered one Championship loss at their home ground: to Down in 1994.

The Farney-men have played four Ulster SFC matches at the venue in that time, and have failed to leave with anything even resembling a result:

1991: Derry 0-13 Monaghan 0-8
1992: Derry 2-9 Monaghan 0-7 (replay)
1997: Derry 2-15 Monaghan 0-10
1998: Derry 3-13 Monaghan 0-11 (replay)

The Oakleafers will want to continue this record on Sunday, and defender Kevin McGuckin hopes having home advantage will be 'valuable' for the side:

"It's great to have the first round of the championship there, it's been redeveloped and we were up on the pitch there a couple of weeks ago. There's a new stand and it's looking well and we'd be hoping we'll get a good Derry crowd in and they'll get behind us. There's no doubt that'll be valuable for us."

A new-look Oakleaf side, in a new-look Celtic Park. After the disappointments of the last two years, Derry will be hoping for a new-look result on Sunday.