By Michael McMullan

CONOR Laverty has named Ryan Magill for the first time since their defeat to Cavan back in March for Saturday’s Tailteann Cup meeting with Longford in Páirc Ester on Saturday (7pm).

The u-20 captain – coming in for older brother Danny – is one of three changes since last weekend’s defeat to Meath with Gerard Collins and Andrew Gilmore returning.

Down: Niall Kane; Anthony Doherty, Pierce Laverty, Patrick McCarthy; Gerard Collins, Ryan Magill, Daniel Guinness; Shane Annett, Odhran Murdock; Ceilum Doherty, Donagh McAleenan, Liam Kerr; Andrew Gilmore, Pat Havern, Eugene Branagan
Subs: John O’Hare, Micéal Rooney, Conor Francis, Ryan McEvoy, Danny Magill, Ross Carr, Jerome Johnston, Conor Fitzpatrick, Patrick Branagan, Eamonn Brown, Rory Mason

Longford: Paddy Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Bryan Masterson; Iarla O’Sullivan, Michael Quinn, Peter Lynn; Ryan Moffett, Darren Gallagher; Joe Hagan, Dessie Reynolds, Aaron Farrell; Keelin McGann, Dylan Farrell, Oran Kenny
Subs: Mícheál Hughes, Peter Foy, Fergal Sheridan, Daire O Brien, Ciarán Scanlon, James Kiernan, Barry O’Farrell, Ruairí Harkin, Matt Duffy, Tadhg McNevin, Darragh Doherty