Two changes in Derry hurling side

Brian McGilligan's side face Antrim at Casement on Sunday evening

Derry manager Brian McGilligan has made two changes for Sunday's Ulster SHC semi-final against Antrim at Casement Park (2000 BST).

Ruairi McCloskey replaces Conor McKenna in defence while Diarmuid Brunton takes over from Philip McGlade in midfield.

Cormac Donnelly and Donal McNaughton will make their Ulster SHC debuts for Antrim in Sunday evening's clash.

Karl McKeegan is also named in the line-up despite doubts over his availability for the evening throw-in.

Long-term injured duo Neil McManus and Neil McAuley will be joined on the sidelines by Neil McGarry.

McGarry picked up an ankle injury at the weekend but he has been included in the substitutes.

Joint-manager Dominic McKinley says McGarry is willing to play through the pain barrier for the team, which is "indicative of the spirit in the camp".

Liam Watson is also named in the starting line-up despite being a fitness doubt because of a groin injury.

Antrim joint-manager Sambo McNaughton has hit out at the Ulster Council for arranging the evening throw-in.

McKeegan was due to fly to Germany on Sunday night and Antrim had rejected a request to move the game to Saturday.

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"It's another example of hurlers being treated as second-class citizens," McNaughton told the Irish News.

"So Antrim could be without one of their main players for a Championship match - the whole thing is a joke," added McNaughton.

"Could you imagine Antrim footballers playing an Ulster Championship match at 8.00 at night or the Derry footballers? There's no chance."

Ulster Council official Danny Murphy said a late throw-in was required to avoid a clash with the Ulster SFC tie between Donegal and Derry, which has a 1600 start at Ballybofey.

"The reason the match was changed to a Sunday night was because Antrim couldn't play on Saturday," he explained.

Antrim chairman John McSparran shared McNaughton's disappointment at the Ulster Council move.

"We wanted a prominent slot (Sunday afternoon)," said McSparran.

"This new time came back to us and there was no negotiation on it.

"As to how many Derry supporters will travel to Casement at 8.00pm is another matter."

The latest Ulster Hurling Championship controversy follows the farcical delay to Saturday's clash between London and Armagh at Newry.

We were pushed to one side and it wouldn't happen at a junior B club match Armagh hurling manager Mattie Lennon

The delay was caused by a football challenge between Down and Cork at Pairc Esler which ran late after the managers insisted that fans and media leave the ground as they wanted it played completely behind closed doors.

The Ulster Council has apologised for the incident and have promised an investigation.

However, Down officials have insisted the incident wasn't their fault as they weren't given sufficient notice about Saturday's hurling game.

Armagh hurling manager Mattie Lennon was infuriated by the delay which came before his side's one-point defeat.

"We were pushed to one side and it wouldn't happen at a junior B club match," said Lennon.

"I have no problem with the match being played prior to our game. The problem is the management was not notified and that there were no facilities for our two teams.

He added: "Players are not stupid. They can sense that they are playing second fiddle and are being pushed in to play the game when they can.

"We had a good launch of the championship a few weeks ago and then all of a sudden we get this. I say action speaks louder than words.

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Antrim: Ryan McGarry, Aaron Graffin, James McKeague, Sean Delargy (capt), Ciaran Herron, Karl McKeegan, Johnny Campbell, Karl Stewart, Michael Magill, Paddy Richmond, Liam Watson, Paul Shiels, Michael Herron, Cormac Donnelly, Donal McNaughton.

Derry: A Magill, M Craig, C Quinn, C McQuillan, R McCloskey, S Henry, S McCullagh, D Brunton, O McCloskey, P Henry, K Hinphey, SL McGoldrick, P McCloskey, R Convery, G Kelly.