Down include Clarke and Lynch

Down manager Ross Carr has made two changes to his side for Sunday's Ulster SFC quarter-final clash with Monaghan at Pairc Esler, throw-in 4pm.

John Clarke returns at right corner back, taking the place of Daniel McCartan, while the Mourne men's other alteration sees Jack Lynch preferred to Paul Murphy at midfield. McCartan bruised his ribs last time out against Cavan.

Both Clarke and Lynch were used as second half substitutes in Down's 0-15 to 0-11 replay win over Cavan in Newry last month.

In a further boost to Down's chances, former All-Ireland-winning captain DJ Kane, who is part of Carr's management team, will be back on the sidelines after serving a touchline ban for an incident in a National League game against Armagh.

Burren clubman Declan Rooney will captain Down from full-back.

Sunday's game is the first Ulster championship meeting between Down and Monaghan since 2003. Down have won 12 of the sides' 26 previous SFC encounters, with Monaghan triumphing on ten occasions.

The winners of the Newry tie will be pitted against either Derry or Antrim in the Ulster semi-finals.

DOWN (SFC v Monaghan) - M McVeigh; J Clarke, D Rooney (capt), K McGuigan; R Murtagh, B Grant, M Cole; D Gordon, J Lynch; J McGovern, A Carr, R Sexton; D Hughes, P Downey, B Coulter.