Doherty names Donegal line-up

Donegal manager John Joe Doherty has opted to stick with the same team that won the Dr McKenna Cup last weekend for the opening NFL Division One fixture against Kerry in Tralee on Sunday.

The north-westerners defeated a lively Queen's University side 2-12 to 0-11 after extra-time to win their first Dr McKenna Cup since 1991 last week, and Doherty, who succeeded Brian McIver in November, has kept faith with the starting XV.

Without players like Karl Lacey, who is travelling in the southern hemisphere at present, Doherty's hands are further tied with a lengthy injury list.

Colm McFadden, Michael Murphy, Michael Hegarty, Barry Dunnion and Neil McGee are all out of the opener. Christy Toye, Kevin Cassidy and Michael Hegarty are also expected to return to training in the coming weeks.

In their stead, Donegal were well served in the Dr McKenna Cup by young forwards like Stephen Griffin and David Walsh, as well as the returning Raymond Sweeney and Brendan Boyle. Rory Kavanagh will captain the team.

Brian Roper, who missed the final three games in the Dr McKenna Cup after picking up a hamstring injury against Fermanagh, will make the trip and is therefore in with a chance of beating 1992 All-Ireland winning full-back Matt Gallagher's record 147 outings from the county.

Also on the panel is goalkeeper Michael Boyle, who kept goal for DCU on their way to the O'Byrne Cup final.

DONEGAL XV v Kerry, Allianz NFL Division 1, Sunday, 2.30pm in Tralee:

Paul Durcan; Frank McGlynn, Raymond Sweeney, Paddy McDaid; Charles Byrne, Barry Monaghan, Eamon McGee; Neil Gallagher, Brendan Boyle; Ciaran Bonner, Conall Dunne, Rory Kavanagh; Kevin McMenamin, Stephen Griffin, David Walsh.