There will be none of Armagh's All-Ireland heroes in action on Sunday when the Orchard county take on Down in the McKenna Cup at Ballykinlar.

With manager Joe Kernan and the Sam Maguire-winning squad still holidaying in Mauritius, under-21 boss Peter Rafferty has, as expected, filled the side with youngsters.

Five current under-21 players are in the mix plus a number of last season's side.

Also included are Martin O'Rourke and Des Makin, two players who were omitted from the senior squad last season.

Philip Loughran, who made six appearances as a substitute last season, features in midfield alongside David Turley.

McBride returns

The game will be opportunity for a number of fringe players to push their causes for inclusion when the real action starts.

Derry's game against Monaghan at Ballinascreen has been postponed.

Meanwhile, respected Antrim GAA official John Gough has claimed that gaelic football and hurling are in a perilous position in Belfast.

Gough, who is best remembered for refereeing the controversial 1983 All-Ireland Football final between Dublin and Galway, claimed that "hurling in Belfast is dead and gaelic football in dying".

The St John's clubman quit his post as chairman of the Antrim football committee at the annual county convention last month.

Gough cited the lack of a proper juvenile GAA structure in the city and said he regarded his time as chairman of the Antrim football committee as "four wasted years of my life".

Armagh: W McSorley; S Quinn, M Quinn, A Mallon; K Fearon, P Watters, B Shannon; P Loughran, D Turley; M O'Rourke, M Mackin, L O'Hare; B Mallon, D Mackin, M McNamee.

Derry:M Conlan; D Shivers, F McEldowney, D Scullion; B Mullan, A Heaney, F Devlin; J Donaghy, G Doyle; D Boylan, M O'Neil, D McNally; N Dillon, AN Other.

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Sunday's Dr McKenna Cup ties

First round:
Fermanagh v Tyrone
(Brewster Park, 1400)

Quarter-finals:
Derry P-P Monaghan
(McGlinchey Park, Ballinascreen)
Down v Armagh
(Ballykinlar)
Donegal v Cavan
(Fr. Tierney Park, Ballyshannon)
(all 1400 throw-in)