Can Brian McIver crack the Donegal code?

An astute tactician, the Oak Leaf boss will be hoping to succeed where Mickey Harte and Kieran McGeeney have failed in recent weeks.

12 months ago, McIver's Derry players went toe-to-toe with Donegal for the first-half of their Ulster SFC quarter-final but they were left floundering when the Michael Murphy captained side moved up the gears during the third quarter.

Donegal advanced on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-11 and, under Rory Gallagher's management, they have continued where they left off on the provincial scene.

The Anglo Celt Cup holders' put Armagh to the sword with impressive ease a fortnight ago and they welcome back Colm McFadden to their starting line-up this evening.

The experienced forward replaces Martin O'Reilly in the only change from the team that started the 2-11 to 0-8 victory over the Orchard County.

Manager Gallagher is expecting Derry to provide a stiffer test than Armagh.

"They've a lot of experienced footballers, they're a much more mature team than Armagh," he pointed out. "Armagh are an emerging team whereas some of Derry's players have national league medals from 2008.

"They played in last year's league final, some of their players played in an All-Ireland club final, so they have a lot of experience and it's going to be a tough test."

Derry edged out Down by 0-12 to 0-11 at Celtic Park three weeks ago thanks to an injury-time free from Eoin Bradley and Cailean O'Boyle gets the nod ahead of Benny Heron in their team.

James Kielt, meanwhile, has walked away from the squad since the one point victory over the Mourne County.

"These things happen so there is no point in going on about it. James has been really dedicated over the past three seasons and, of course, we are sad to see him leaving the panel.

"It is one of those scenarios where he probably thought he wasn't getting enough football."

Kielt's loss is a set-back to the Oak Leaf County as they go in search of a first championship victory over the Tir Chonaill men since 2008.

Verdict - Donegal.

Donegal team: Paul Durcan; Paddy McGrath, Neil McGee, Eamonn McGee; Mark McHugh, Karl Lacey, Frank McGlynn; Neil Gallagher, Martin McElhinney; Christy Toye, Odhran MacNiallais, Ryan McHugh; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden.

Derry team: Thomas Mallon; Oisín Duffy, Brendan Rogers, Dermot McBride; Kevin Johnston, Chrissy McKaigue, Ciarán McFaul; Niall Holly, Fergal Doherty; Sean Leo McGoldrick, Mark Lynch, Enda Lynn; Daniel Heavron, Eoin Bradley, Cailean O'Boyle.

Match details: Saturday; Clones; 7pm.

Referee: Rory Hickey.

Odds: Donegal 1/5, Draw 10/1, Derry 5/1.

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