TYRONE V DONEGAL

Saturday, Healy Park, 5pm

By Niall McCoy

FOR the first time since January 12, 2003, Tyrone will have a new management team in place for a competitive fixture.

Back then, a certain Mickey Harte took charge for the first time as the Red Hands defeated Fermanagh 1-13 to 1-11 in a Dr McKenna Cup match that had been postponed a week due to icy conditions.

Harte, who would go on to become one of the most successful GAA managers of all time, used the low-pressure fixture to hand starting debuts to Paul Horisk, Gavin Devlin, Frank McGuigan and his son, Mark.

New joint-managers Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher may opt for a few debutants themselves at home to Donegal on Saturday evening, but the pressure gauge will be much higher.

The pandemic meant that the opportunity to try players in the Dr McKenna Cup went out the window, while the one-sided nature of a recent challenge match win over Down probably didn’t provide too many answers for the management.

It is understood that Cathal McShane did not feature in that game, so it will be interesting to see how many minutes he gets against their neighbours as he marks his return from last year’s season-ending ankle injury.

The new Tyrone management of Logan and Dooher can expect a really tough opening examination from Donegal. It’s a chance for a marker to be laid down.

Boss Declan Bonner has been a bit vague on the fitness availability of some players, so he will leave the opposition guessing up until throw-in.

Odhrán Mac Niallais and Kieran Gillespie are “touch and go” according to Bonner while Odhran McFadden-Ferry won’t feature despite returning to the country from a tour of Lebanon with the Defence Forces.

Donegal suffered a shock Ulster final loss to Cavan last year. That disappointment has festered over the winter and into the spring. It’s hard to know if that result will still affect them almost six months on.

An opening win over one of their big rivals would help with that particular cleanse.

Like in Ulster last year, the Tir Chonaill county can escape with a narrow victory.

Verdict: Donegal