Ulster Council set date for Derry clash with Armagh

The Ulster Council have fixed the mouth-watering 2010 Ulster SFC preliminary round showdown between Derry and Armagh for May 16, it has been confirmed.

The third Sunday in May will see the rival counties meet at Derry's refurbished Celtic Park ground. The Ulster Council made the decision last night.

Derry manager Damien Cassidy has held a number of trial matches in recent weeks, with an Antrim trial team and club sides from Glenullin and Kilrea providing the opposition.

But Cassidy looks set to be without the services of veteran defender Sean Marty Lockhart for next year.

It has been reported that Lockhart has decided to quit the inter-county scene after making a record 50 competitive appearances for the Derry senior footballers.

The 1998 All-Star, also a long-serving member of the Ireland International Rules squad, is currently managing the St. Mary's Maghera MacRory Cup team.

Now 33, Lockhart featured at left corner back as Derry fell to a 2-13 to 0-18 defeat to Donegal in the third round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers in July.