Mickey McCann without some big hitters as Donegal head to Wicklow

Mickey McCann has named his starting XV for this afternoon’s opening Allianz National Hurling Division 2B encounter away to Wicklow, in Aughrim, throw-in, 12.30pm. 

McCann will be without the likes of Danny Cullen, Declan Coulter and Ronan McDermott for the majority of the league following surgeries, so it’s an experimental Donegal outfit that takes to the field on Sunday. 

Setanta’s Bernard Lafferty and new recruit Cathal O’ Brien, from Offaly, who lined out for St Eunan’s in last year’s Donegal senior championship, are also unavailable for the trip to Aughrim. 

Donegal will play five games in the league, three away and two at home. After this weekend's away trip to Wicklow, Donegal also have away encounters against both Tyrone and  Roscommon while they are home to Derry and London. Both of those games are in O’Donnell Park.

Luke Whyte; Gavin Browne, Ciaran Bradley, Ciaran Curran; Ryan Hilferty, Stephen Gillespie, Jack O’Loughlan; Brian MacIntyre, Conor O’Grady; Liam McKinney, Conor Gartland, Sean McVeigh; Ruairi Campbell, Gerard Gilmore, Josh McGee Cronolly.