Derry to miss key man Lockhart

Derry's chances of upsetting All-Ireland champions Tyrone in Sunday's Ulster SFC quarter-final (Omagh, throw-in 2.15pm) have been hit with key defender Sean Marty Lockhart ruled out injured.

A hamstring injury means the 29-year-old will not start the Healy Park clash - the counties' sixth championship game since 2001 - but he has been included on the Derry bench by manager Paddy Crozier.

Lockhart was unable to train this week and will not be risked against the Sam Maguire Cup holders. Francis McEldowney will deputise for the Banagher clubman at left corner back.

Crozier has given championship debuts to four players. Dungiven's dual star Liam Hinphey starts at right half-back, with the Loup's Joe O'Kane on the opposite wing.

Bellaghy midfielder Joe Diver will also make his SFC bow, while Coleraine's Barry McGoldrick is a newcomer at centre forward. Team captain Johnny McBride has been pushed into centre-field to partner Diver.

Injury has ruled Paul Cartin, Martin Donaghy, Gerard O'Kane and Patsy Bradley out of contention for the Oak Leafers, although Carton joins Lockhart amongst the substitutes.

Derry are gunning for their first Ulster championship win over Tyrone since 1997 when they won a semi-final tussle by 2-15 to 2-03. The winners of Sunday's clash will play Donegal or Down in the last-four on June 18.

DERRY (SFC vTyrone) - B Gillis; K McGuickin, K McCloy, F McEldowney; L Hinphey, P Flynn, J O’Kane; J McBride (capt), J Diver; M Lynch, B McGoldrick, F Doherty; E Muldoon, P Bradley, E Bradley.