Tyrone turn to McCullagh

Injury-hit Tyrone have turned to Irish League soccer player Colm McCullagh to help them in their quest to beat Louth in tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier (Omagh, throw-in 3.30pm).

McCullagh, who plays for Newry Town, has been persuaded to come out of retirement to assist Mickey Harte's side.

With the Irish League in the off-season, the 28-year-old has no commitments to Newry, but the club is understood to be angered by McCullagh going back on his assurance that he would not be playing Gaelic football again.

Just days after his recall to the Red Hands' panel, he is straight into the Tyrone team for tomorrow's tie at Healy Park.

With injuries to Stephen O’Neill, Brian Dooher, Gerard Cavlan and Brian McGuigan, manager Harte has made three changes to the Tyrone attack - McCullagh is in at left corner forward while Raymond Mulgrew and Enda McGinley have been given roles in the half-forward line.

It will be McGinley's first start since last year's All-Ireland final - Peter Donnelly is the player to lose out.

The one other switch from last weekend's drawn game sees John Devine taking over in goal from Pascal McConnell.

TYRONE (SFC v Louth) - J Devine; R McMenamin, C McGinley, M McGee; D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan; C Holmes, S Cavanagh; R Mellon, R Mulgrew, E McGinley; M Penrose, O Mulligan, C McCullagh.