Dr McKenna Cup Section B preview

Four Ulster sides face off in Section B of the Dr McKenna Cup competition today.

Armagh manager Joe Kernan will not name his starting 15 for today's clash against Down until just before throw-in as club and college commitments and holidays take their toll on the Orchard squad.

The Ulster champs are without their Crossmaglen Rangers contingent, who are preparing for an All-Ireland semi-final clash with Portlaoise next month.

Meanwhile, six of the panel are playing in the competition with their colleges.

Therefore, Ronan Clarke (St Mary's), Philly Loughran (Jordanstown), Malachy Mackin (Jordanstown), Ciaran O'Brien (Jordanstown), Brian Mallon (Queen's) and Gareth Smyth (Queen's) are ruled out.

Paddy McKeever and talismanic skipper Kieran McGeeney are both unavailable for the clash in Crossmaglen due to holiday commitments.

In the other game in the section, Derry boss Mickey Moran has named two newcomers on the team to face Queens University at Maghera.

Slaughtneil's Paul Bradley and Dungiven's Padraig Murphy are set to make their debuts for the Ulster side.

However, Moran has backed up his team with many of the side that began the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry.

Paddy Bradley, Paul McFlynn and Fergal Doherty are on the bench but All Star Enda Muldoon and James Donaghy are ruled out through injury.

DERRY (SF v Queens): M Conlon; K McGuckin, N McCusker, M Kelly; P Wilson, S M Lockhart, C McWilliams; Patsy Bradley, J McBride; P Murphy, F McEldowney, Paul Bradley; P Murphy, E Burke, C Gilligan.