UP FOR THE MATCH FOR MICHAELA – McGUINNESS NAMES STRONG DONEGAL SIDE FOR ULSTER CHALLENGE

DONEGAL MANAGER JIM McGUINNESS has named his strongest line-up for this evening’s Match for Michaela clash against the rest of Ulster at Casement Park.

The Donegal team includes All-Stars Karl Lacey, Michael Murphy, Paul Durcan and Frank McGlynn.

McGuinness said: “This is the first time that, this group of players, will take the field as All Ireland champions and we are delighted to be in this position.

“We have a number of injury concerns but we will be fielding the strongest team possible.

“I anticipate that this will be a tremendous occasion and, gauging from the interest within our county, our supporters will be there in force too.”

Ulster manager Joe Kernan said: “The match is a chance for the players to meet and play alongside the best players from other counties, and for the supporters to come along and see quality and competitive football played at the highest level.”

The match is part of four hours of festivities to celebrate Michaela Harte McAreavey, which will also include singer Janet Devlin and several “surprises.”

Thousands of GAA fans from all over Ireland are travelling to the game, many from Donegal.

And Donegal player Michael McCann will line out for Ulster against his home county!

Ulster: Brendan McVeigh (An Dún); Ryan McCloskey (Fear Manach), Dan Gordon (An Dún), Chrissy McKaigue (Doíre); Ciaran McKeever (Ard Mhacha), Darren Hughes (Muineacháin, Captain), James Loughrey (Aontroim); Sean Cavanagh (Tír Eoghain), David Gibney (An Cabhán); Colm Cavanagh (Tír Eoghain), Mark Poland (An Dún), Joe McMahon (Tír Eoghain); Martin Penrose (Tír Eoghain), Michael McCann (Dún na nGall), Conor McManus (Muineachán). 

Subs: Niall Morgan (Tír Eoghain), Conor Gormley (Tír Eoghain), Vinny Corey (Muineachán), Brendan Donaghy (Ard Mhacha), Ambrose Rogers (An Dún), Gearoid McKiernan (An Cabhán), Brendan Coulter (An Dún)

Donegal: Paul Durcan; Paddy McGrath, Eamonn McGee, Thomas McKinley; Frank McGlynn, Karl Lacey, Declan Walsh; Christy Toye, Neil Gallagher; Daniel McLaughlin, Adrian Hanlon, Ryan Bradley; Patrick Mc Brearty, Michael Murphy, David Walsh. 

Subs: Michael Boyle, Antoine McFadden, Mark McHugh, Peter Withrow, Martin McElhinney, Stephen Griffin, Barry Dunnion, Martin O’Reilly, Gary McFadden, Peter McGee

Tickets are available www.tickets.gaa.ie, from County Boards and GAA clubs and from participating Supervalu and Centra stores nationwide. Tickets are priced at £10/€10 for adults and £5/€5 for children.

And you can pay at the turnstiles tonight.

Gates open at 5pm; with events getting underway at 6pm.