Harte keeps 'Omagh Three' in reserve

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has kept Kevin Hughes, Michael McGee and Owen Mulligan on his bench for Sunday's NFL Division 1A tussle with Offaly (Tullamore, throw-in 2.30pm).

The three players, who each had their eight-week suspensions from last month's fiery clash with Dublin quashed after appeals to the Central Disciplinary Committee this week, have been kept in reserve.

Harte, who is in desperate need of a win before the All-Ireland champions' chances of NFL glory are blown, has made just one change to the side that he selected for last weekend's postponed fixture against Cork.

The switch comes at left corner forward with Ryan Mellon coming in for Mickey Murphy, who is being rested ahead of the Tyrone Under-21s' Ulster Championship opener next week.

Colin Holmes, who was also handed down a four-week ban for his involvement in the violent scenes that marred Tyrone's February 5 league opener with Dublin, has been included on the bench as his suspension has expired.

Tyrone (NFL v Offaly) - P McConnell; D Carlin, C Gormley, E Bradley; D Harte, G Devlin, P Jordan; B Meenan, C Gourley; R McMenamin, B McGuigan, S Cavanagh; M Penrose, S O’Neill, R Mellon.