Tyrone will welcome back All Star defenders Cathal McCarron and Peter Harte for the Red Hand’s round two qualifying trip to Dr. Cullen Park to face Carlow on Saturday.
After scraping by Meath in controversial circumstances in the opening round of the qualifiers earlier this month, Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will strengthen his defence with the return of McCarron and Harte who will replace Hugh Pat McGeary and Tiernan McCann respectively.
Elsewhere goalkeeper Niall Morgan will return to the starting side after missing out in a late change from the Tyrone team that triumphed over Meath in Navan.
Meanwhile Declan McClure will join Colm Cavanagh in the midfield with Padraig McNulty dropping out while the forward line remains unchanged.
Former Tyrone captain Sean Cavanagh was quite critical of Tyrone’ style following the Meath win, and particularly their attack this season, with the three-time All-Ireland winner lamenting that a number of Tyrone’s forwards – including Ronan O’Neill, Darren McCurry, Kyle Coney and Niall McKenna – haven’t really kicked on due to the limitations of Harte’s system.
The Tyrone manager dismissed the claim and encouraged Cavanagh to lighten up a bit following the win over Meath.
Tyrone team to play Carlow:
1. Niall Morgan
2. Padraig Hampsey
3. Ronan McNamee
4. Cathal McCarron
5. Michael McKernan
6. Frank Burns
7. Peter Harte
8. Colm Cavanagh
9. Declan McClure
10. Mattie Donnelly
11. Niall Sludden
12. Conor Meyler
13. Cathal McShane
14. Richard Donnelly
15. Connor McAliskey
