Harte rings the changes for McKenna Cup

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will use today's game against Antrim in Dungannon as a chance to experiment.

The defending champions are almost sure to reach their third final in a row, so Harte has rung the changes for today's game.

David Harte, Brendan Donnelly and Michael McGee come into the defence and Barry Collins, Brian McGuigan and Michael Coleman also get the chance to impress.

Ryan McMenamin, Chris Lawn, Ciaran Meenagh, Peter Donnelly, Owen Mulligan and Martin Penrose are rested, while Peter Canavan is on the bench.

However, Antrim boss Mickey Culbert does not enjoy the same luxury - his side have lost their two games so far and illness has hit the squad.

Five of Mickey Culbert's players are still laid up with flu, and he will be seeking improvement as his side lost to Cavan last week.

Captain Joe Quinn is among those sidelined, and attacker John McAleese is also a doubt after picking up an ankle injury.

Colin Brady, Ciaran Gallagher and Chris Lynch are also on the treatment table.

Ulster champions Armagh are still without their Crossmaglen contingent as they take on Queen's University.

The Crossmaglen players are preparing for next month's All-Ireland club semi-final, while established stars like Kieran McGeeney, Paul McGrane, Diarmuid Marsden, Aidan O'Rourke, Philip Loughran (UUJ), Paddy McKeever (St Mary's) and Ronan Clarke (St Mary's) are all unavailable.

Barry Murray and Gareth Swift, who have impressed to date in the competition, are likely to start again today.

Donegal take on Monaghan at Clones, and Brian McEniff may decide to include Damien Diver, who was called into the All Stars squad this week for their upcoming trip to Hong Kong.

However, Donegal will be without their Sligo IT contingent for the Clones clash.

Paul Durcan, Eamon McGee, Karl Lacey, Christy Toye and Michael Doherty are in action for the Sligo college against Mayo in the Connacht FBD League.

Derry have named a strong side for their clash with Down, with Sean Marty Lockhart and Paddy Bradley among the starters.

Cavan's clash with UUJ has been moved from Kingscourt to Breffni Park and All-Ireland semi-finalists Fermanagh host St Mary’s College at Irvinestown.

ANTRIM (SF v Tyrone): P Murray; D Gauly, K Murray, P Logan; S Devlin, T Scullion, S Kelly; J Quinn, B Herron; C Close, P Close, M McCarry; J McAleese, K Brady, K Madden.

TYRONE (SF v Antrim): P McConnell; B Donnelly, C Holmes, M McGee; O Devine, G Devlin, D Harte; B Collins, B Meenan; B Dooher, B McGuigan, S Cavanagh; S O'Neill, R Mellon, M Coleman.

DERRY (SF v Down): M Conlan; K McGuckin, N McCusker, K McCloy; P Wilson, SM Lockhart, C McWilliams; Patsy Bradley, J McBride; Paul Murphy, Fergal McEldowney, Padraig Murphy; C Gilligan, Paddy Bradley, Paul Bradley.

MONAGHAN (SF v Donegal): S Duffy; G McQuaid, J Coyle, C Flanagan; J Ward, R Ronaghan, D Freeman; J McElroy, D Clerkin; S McManus, S Gollogly, D McArdle; T Freeman, F Duffy, R Woods.