Damian Barton won an All-Ireland medal with Derry in 1993

Damian Barton's Jordanstown outfit look to be the best of the three Ulster contenders who will battle for Sigerson Cup glory over three days in Cork.

The former Derry forward will be able to call on intercounty players to fill every position on the field in Thursday's quarter-final against fellow-northerners St Mary's College at Ballincollig.

Barton, who spent his third-level days at St Mary's, says that preparations for the big weekend have not been ideal.

The demands of the NFL and the All-Ireland Club Championship mean that he has rarely had a full squad at warm-up matches or in training.

However, there is no doubting the strength of the Derry man's panel.

He can call on the McGinley brothers, Enda and Cormac who have gained plenty of experience at top level with Errigal Ciaran and Tyrone.

Barton's Armagh contingent includes John Toal, Philip Loughran and Martin O'Rourke while Liam Doyle and Michael Walsh are two of the most talented current Down players.

The UUJ squad also includes Derry stars Paddy Bradley and Padraig O'Kane, Fermanagh goalkeeper Ronan Gallagher and gifted Antrim forward Kevin Madden.

Clarke ruled out

Gallagher is a minor doubt for the weekend because of a leg injury but Barton can also call on Tyrone custodian John Devine.

Even at full-strength, St Mary's wouldn't have been fancied to beat UUJ but the loss of suspended midfielder John Haran is a massive blow to the Ranch's hopes.

Manager Paddy Tally already has to plan without Armagh star Ronan Clarke because of the player's hip injury.

Haran, who has captained St Mary's this year, was sent off in a recent club game in Donegal and is ruled out of this weekend's action.

To make matters worse, his regular midfield partner Dan Gordon is struggling with a leg injury which ruled him out of Down's NFL game against Laois last weekend.

James McCartan: QUB manager

Errigal Ciaran's Mark Harte will take over the St Mary's captaincy after missing the first round win over Waterford IT because of his involvement in the All-Ireland Club series.

His cousin David Harte is also in the St Mary's squad.

The other Ulster hopefuls Queen's will be up against it in their last eight game against UCD at Cork IT.

Inspired by Armagh's Paddy McKeever, Queen's produced a fine display to beat highly-rated Cork IT in the first round but UCD are one of the favourites for the competition.

The Belfield outfit beat UUJ in the Ryan Cup and can call on Dublin stars Alan Brogan, Barry Cahill and several other intercounty men from all over Ireland.

However, McKeever has been in tremendous form recently for university and county and could inspire Queen's to produce a surprise.

Talented Kelly

The Belfast University failed to make the Sigerson weekend over the last two years and they will be determined to make an impact on this occasion.

James McCartan's squad also includes Fermanagh pair Martin McGrath and Ciaran O'Reilly plus two more Armagh panellists Kevin McElvanna and Willie McSorley.

McGrath had a particularly good game at midfield against Cork IT and will be required to produce more of the same against UCD.

Antrim's improvement in football terms is indicated by the presence of Kevin McGourty, Colm Brady and the talented Sean Kelly in the Queen's panel.