DERRY WILL open their Ulster campaign against Monaghan at Clones on Sunday with six newcomers to championship football. Seamus Downey failed a fitness test last night and he now joins Gary Coleman and Sean Martin Lockhart on the injured list.

David O'Neill and Emmet McKeever are drafted into the full back line and John McBride is introduced at left half back. Anthony Tohill has a new championship midfield partner in Dermot Dougan, while the newcomers in the attack are left wing Joe Cassidy and left corner Ronan Rocks.

Cork's championship prospects suffered a setback yesterday with the news that midfielder Damien O'Neill will be out of action for the rest of the season.

O'Neill sustained a knee injury while assisting Bantry Blues against Nemo Rangers in a Cork championship at the weekend.

The injury has since been diagnosed as severe cruciate damage. It is feared that the Cork star will not be in action again until the new year.

Seamus O'Hanlon and Stefan White, two of Louth's key players for Sunday's Leinster football championship clash with Carlow, are doubtful. O'Hanlon is suffering from an Achilles injury while White has damaged a thigh muscle.

Meanwhile Eamonn Coleman has severed his connections with Long ford football after having been in charge of the county side for three seasons.