By Michael McMullan

PADDY Tally has named his Derry team for Sunday’s Ulster Championship clash with Donegal on Sunday in Ballybofey (2pm).

Goalkeeper Néill McNicholl, Martin Bradley and Dan Higgins are in line to make their championship debuts against the reigning champions.

There are 12 of the team that played against Donegal in the league game in Ballyshannon earlier this season.

Derry led for 44 minutes of the contest before Donegal took control to reel them in during the closing stages.

From that day, Niall Toner returns. Néill McNicholl takes over from the injured Odhrán Lynch in goals with Ciaran McFaul in line for a first game since the draw with Galway in Celtic Park.

It will be an 80^th senior appearance for Paudi McGrogan with Paul Cassidy set for a 70^th as Derry switch to championship mode.

The Oakleafers, champions in 2022 and 2023, were stripped of their title at Celtic Park 12 months ago as Jim McGuinness steered Donegal on their first step to the Ulster title.

Derry were relegated this season ands seeking a first win since knocking Mayo out on penalties under Mickey Harte last summer.

Derry: Néill McNicholl; Diarmuid Baker, Brendan Rogers, Martin Bradley; Conor Doherty, Paudi McGrogan, Eoin McEvoy; Conor Glass, Dan Higgins; Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy, Ciaran McFaul; Niall Toner, Shane McGuigan, Lachlan Murray
Subs: Ben McKinless, Niall Loughlin, Patrick McGurk, Declan Cassidy, Ben McCarron, Mark Doherty, Caolan Devlin, Cahir McMonagle, Ryan Mulholland, Charlie Diamond, Kevin Quinn

In this week’s Gaelic Lives podcast, Eamonn Burns and Kevin Cassidy look ahead to Sunday’s game in Ballybofey.

Also, don’t miss this week’s Gaelic Life epaper, packed with Ulster SFC buildup