Injuries force Harte to make changes for Offaly game

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has handed three players their first Championship starts as they face Offaly for the first time in the All-Ireland Championship tomorrow in Tullamore (throw-in 3pm).

Ryan McKenna, Danny McBride and Ciaran McGinley will make their first starts at this level. The Red Hands are bidding to get their campaign back on track following a six-point defeat to reigning All-Ireland champions Donegal last month.

Harte has made a total of five enforced changes to the team that started that match in Ballybofey, with goalkeeper Pascal McConnell and Conor Gormley also coming into the side.

The 33-year-old McConnell returns to the starting line-up in place of the injured Niall Morgan, with Stephen O'Neill and Dermot Carlin also ruled out through injury. Team captain O'Neill is nursing an Achilles tendon injury and Killyclougher clubman Carlin has a broken nose.

McKenna comes into defence at right corner back, taking over from PJ Quinn who left the panel a fortnight ago due to work commitments.

The McMahon brothers, Justin and Joe, have hamstring and ankle injuries respectively with McBride named at full-back. Conor Clarke moves from full-back to right half-back with Conor Gormley taking up position on the left wing.

Matthew Donnelly moves from centre back to right half-forward and Peter Harte drops back to the half-back line.

Sean Cavanagh is named to start alongside his brother Colm at midfield, while Martin Penrose moves from right half-forward to full-forward. Ciaran McGinley comes into the Tyrone attack due to O'Neill's absence.

Previewing the trip to the midlands, Joe McMahon told the Irish News: "We know what Offaly are going to bring. They're going to raise their game for Tyrone, and they'll see it as a challenge to see where they are at as well.

"We went down there a few years ago in the league and we didn't come out with an easy victory, and I don't think anything is going to be different this time around.

"We know the backdoor so well and we have come through difficult games. There have been plenty of challenges, the likes of Louth who drew with us. We played them a couple of times and they were always difficult games

"There are always fine margins, we remember Westmeath when Dessie Dolan could have got a late goal, and it could all have been so different back in 2008.

"You need a bit luck too on your side, as well as making your own luck, and we're not going to underestimate what Offaly are going to bring."

TYRONE (SFC v Offaly): Pascal McConnell; Ryan McKenna, Danny McBride, Cathal McCarron; Conor Clarke, Peter Harte, Conor Gormley; Colm Cavanagh, Sean Cavanagh; Matthew Donnelly, Mark Donnelly, Ciaran McGinley; Darren McCurry, Martin Penrose, Connor McAliskey.