Dooher to remain as Tyrone captain

Clann na nGael clubman Brian Dooher is to remain on as captain of the Tyrone senior footballers, it has been confirmed.

The 32-year-old forward was one of Tyrone's best players during last year's Ulster championship-winning campaign.

2008 will be the fourth successive year that Dooher has skippered the Red Hands, but he is likely to miss the opening games of the forthcoming National Football League due to injury.

He underwent corrective surgery for a groin/hernia condition in September and Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will not be rushing him back.

Meanwhile, Harte has made ten changes to his side for tonight's Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup clash with Down in Omagh.

Tyrone lost their McKenna Cup opener to UUJ last Sunday but will be boosted by the return of Philip Jordan and Ryan Mellon to the starting line-up this evening. Throw-in at Healy Park is at 8pm.

TYRONE (McKenna Cup v Down) - P McConnell; PJ Quinn, C McCarron (Dromore), M Swift; J Gilmore, D Carlin, P Jordan; K Hughes, E McGinley; R Mellon, C Donnelly, A McCarron; C McCarron (Omagh), T McGuigan, P Rouse.