Rogers and McGuigan boost Derry for league opener

Brendan Rogers and Shane McGuigan will return to the Derry team for their Division Two National League opener against Meath at Croke Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Neither Rogers nor McGuigan featured for Derry during the Dr McKenna Cup with manager Ciaran Meenagh opting to give the Slaughtneil duo an extended break after their club's run to the All-Ireland club hurling semi-final.

Ryan Scullion has been handed the number one jersey with regular goalkeeper Odhran Lynch still sidelined.

The Oak Leafers are also boosted in defence with Padraig McGrogan and Conor McCluskey named in the full-back line alongside Diarmuid Baker.

Gareth McKinless who missed the entirety of last year's campaign has been handed the number six jersey.

Rogers will partner Conor Glass in midfield, while McGuigan will be joined in the full-forward line by Lachlan Murray and Niall Loughlin.

Despite naming a hugely experienced starting team, there's plenty of youth on the Derry bench with Conor McAteer, Sean Young, Sean Kearney, Patrick McGurk and the returning Jack Doherty providing options as replacements.

Eoin McEvoy and Dan Higgins remain sidelined as Derry begin their efforts for an immediate return to Division One.

Derry: Ryan Scullion; Conor McCluskey, Padraig McGrogan, Diarmuid Baker; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Shea Downey; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty, Niall Toner, Paul Cassidy; Lachlan Murray, Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin.

Subs: Shea McGuckin, Ruairi Forbes, Patrick McGurk, Mark Doherty, Conor McAteer, Matthew Downey, Jack Doherty, Ruairi O Mianain, Conall Higgins, Sean Kearney, Sean Young.