Antrim manager P J O'Hare is plotting Tyrone's downfall

Antrim's 21-year-old defender John McKeever will face his biggest test when the Saffrons face Tyrone in Sunday's Ulster Championship semi-final.

The St Mary's Sigerson Cup player comes into the team at full-back in place of the unavailable of Colin Brady.

The Portglenone clubman has been handed the daunting job of marking Tyrone's deadly forward Peter Canavan in the Casement Park showdown.

Four-time All Star Canavan's points in this season's Championship have been restricted to frees and he will be keen to find the mark from open play against the Saffrons.

Tyrone have yet to name their line-up but they will be forced into selecting a new-look midfield partnership as Cormac McAnallen and Sean Cavanagh are out injured.

It is believed Red Hand manager Mickey Harte will opt for Kevin Hughes and Gerard Cavlan which means he will have to find two attackers.

"It is a big blow to lose two defenders but we had known for some time that Sean would be out. We feared the worst in Cormac's case," said Harte.

"It has been confirmed there is a crack in his cheekbone which means it will be at least a month before it is safe for him to play.

"At the end of the day, a man's health is more important than a football match."

With Stephen O'Neill struggling with a shoulder injury, Harte could have three attacknig vacancies.

Enda McGinley would be a prime condidate for a recall with Seamus Mulgrew and Frank McGuigan also in the reckoning.

Antrim: S McGreevey; G Adams, J McKeever, N Ward; S Kelly, T Convery, A Finnegan; M M cCrory, M McCarry; J Quinn, K Brady, K McGourty; P McCann, D O'Hare, K Madden.