Fallon fighting fit for Dubs

Ronan Fallon successfully negotiated last night's training session to be named in the Dublin side for Sunday's NHL Division 2A opener against Derry in Lavey (throw-in 2.30pm).

Fallon, who had been nursing a rib injury, will line out at centre-back in a starting line-up that contains seven of the side from last July's Relegation SHC semi-final defeat of Laois.

Na Fianna defender Tomas Brady, O'Toole's attacker Peadar Carton, who is a younger brother of Dublin regular Michael Carton, and midfielder Padraig O'Driscoll of Lucan will each make their league debuts up north.

Dubs boss Tommy Naughton had a disappointing start to his full-time reign last month when Wexford came from behind to wallop his side by 4-18 to 0-14 in the Walsh Cup.

DUBLIN (NHL v Derry): G Maguire; P Brennan, K Ryan, T Brady; G Bennett, R Fallon, A de Paor; D Sweeney, P O'Driscoll; S McDonnell, D Russell, T Moore; K Flynn, D Curtin, P Carton.