DONEGAL MANAGER RORY GALLAGHER has named six debutants in his Donegal team to face Down in the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup tomorrow (Sean MacCumhaill Park, 2pm).
Goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley has been included for the first time having served an apprenticeship under Paul Durcan and Michael Boyle during 2015.
The St Michael’s man was understudy to Durcan when Boyle spent the summer in America.
With Durcan now based in Qatar and with Boyle recovering from a cruciate injury, McGinley has been given the nod with Danny Rodgers also set to be given a chance in the competition.
Naomh Muire defender Jack O’Brien and Killybegs’ Eoghan Ban Gallagher are included in a defence that also included Caolan Ward.
The St Eunan’s man has been called up to the panel having previously featured in three McKenna Cup games in 2013.
Ciaran Thompson from county champions Naomh Conaill will make his first appearance for the Donegal seniors, named at midfield with Hugh McFadden and will follow his brothers, Leon and Anthony, in playing senior football for the county.
Stephen McBrearty from Kilcar and Michael Carroll from Gaoth Dobhair are included in the forwards. McBrearty is the younger brother of All-Ireland-winning forward Patrick while Carroll, the 2015 Donegal minor captain, is a younger brother of James Carroll, who played twice in the Dr McKenna Cup in 2013.
Gallagher, McBrearty and Carroll were members of the 2014 Donegal minor team which reached the All-Ireland Minor Championship final.
Michael Murphy, whose next appearance will be his 100th, has not been included in the starting XV.
Donegal (v Down, Dr McKenna Cup): Mark Anthony McGinley; Paddy McGrath, Eamonn Doherty, Jack O’Brien; Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Caolan Ward, Martin O’Reilly; Ciaran Thompson, Hugh McFadden; Stephen McBrearty, Frank McGlynn, Michael Carroll; Eoin McHugh, Leo McLoone, Odhrán Mac Niallais.
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