Derry unchanged for Kildare visit

Some quick recoveries from injury have afforded Derry manager Paddy Crozier the chance to name an unchanged side for the visit of Kildare to Celtic Park on Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).

Team captain Johnny McBride (shoulder) and star forward Paddy Bradley (head) have been passed fit for the NFL Division 1B pacesetters.

Enda Muldoon and Fergal Doherty have also overcome knocks to start.

However, influential defender Kevin McGuckin misses out with the same ankle injury that saw him sit out the win over Wexford, three weeks ago.

Gerard O'Kane has failed to force his way into the half-back reckoning.

O'Kane, who underwent a groin operation in December, played in two Sigerson Cup matches for Queen's University last weekend as well as lining out for his club Glenullin in an O'Hagan Cup tie.

But Crozier has resisted the temptation to tamper with his half-back line of Paul Cartin, McBride and the tireless Liam Hinphey.

Hinphey has had a non-stop few weeks - the Dungiven clubman started twice for the Derry footballers in the NFL last month, and most recently, he took on the full-back role for the Oak Leaf hurlers in their opening two league encounters.

Sunday will be his fifth inter-county game - in either code - in as many weeks.

Derry boast a 100% record in the NFL following wins over Galway and Wexford.

DERRY (NFL v Kildare) - B Gillis; Francis McEldowney, K McCloy, SM Lockhart; P Cartin, J McBride (capt), L Hinphey (capt); J Diver, Patsy Bradley; J O'Kane, E Muldoon, F Doherty; M Donaghy, Paddy Bradley, E Bradley.