Football League: Harte says Donegal game 'critical' to Tyrone survival hopes

Mickey Harte says Saturday's Football League Division One derby against Donegal will be critical to his Tyrone team's hopes of avoiding relegation.

Both teams go into the Omagh contest on two points from four games although Kildare and Mayo currently occupy the relegation spots.

"These two points are very, very important," Harte told BBC Sport NI.

"If you want to be playing in Division One next year, you want to tracking down six points."

That would mean two wins in the final three rounds for both Ulster counties and defeat this weekend could leave no margin for error in the closing two games.

Harte has made two changes from the defeat by Monaghan as midfielder Padraig McNulty and forward Mark Bradley replace Conall McCann and Richard Donnelly while Declan Bonner is yet to reveal his Donegal selection.

Four points could prove enough - Harte

However, Harte accepts that four points might prove enough if Mayo and pointless Kildare keep losing.

Kildare have lost their opening four matches - which included three narrow defeats - while Mayo have failed to register a point since their opening-round away win in Monaghan.

"It may be the case that four points could keep you up but that's walking on ice," added the three-times All-Ireland winning Tyrone boss.

Saturday's game is a repeat of the Dr McKenna Cup final from three weeks ago when Donegal clinched a 1-16 to 1-12 win at the Athletic Grounds, although Hampsey, Cathal McCarron and Kieran McGearry are the only players to retain Tyrone starting roles from the game.

Harte has to plan for the remainder of the league without influential Tiernan McCann after he broke a kneecap in the win in Kildare.

Also in Division One, Monaghan will aim to extend their three-game winning run when the face in-form Galway in Sunday's contest which has a 12:30 GMT throw-in because of the league double-header in Salthill, with the All-Ireland hurling champions facing Limerick later in the afternoon.

Conor McManus has again been left on the bench by Malachy O'Rourke after being used an impact sub in recent games as he recovers from injury.

There are three changes from the narrow win over Tyrone as Kieran Duffy, Paraic McGuirk and Ryan McAnespie take over from Drew Wylie, Colin Walshe and Shane Carey.

Kieran McGeeney's Armagh will move a step closer to promotion from Division Three if they beat Derry on Saturday night

Three Ulster derbies on Saturday night

In addition to Tyrone's contest with Donegal, there are also two other Ulster derbies on Saturday evening with Cavan hosting Down in Division Two and Armagh taking on Derry in Division Three.

Cavan are the surprise leaders in Division Two after following up their opening draw in Clare with three successive wins - including the victory in Cork last time out.

The Breffni team shows three changes with goalkeeper Raymond Galligan, defender Conor Brady and full-forward Gearoid McKiernan coming in.

After mixing two wins with two defeats, Down are not out of the promotion picture but could yet get sucked into the relegation zone if they struggle over the closing three rounds.

Eamonn Burns' side are only a point ahead of Meath, who occupy the second relegation spot, with Pete McGrath's Louth side looking doomed after four opening defeats.

Burns has not named his team yet although he will have full-forward Connaire Harrison available again after suspension.

In Division Three, Armagh and Fermanagh have maximum points after four rounds but both still have work to do to secure promotion with Longford and Westmeath only two points off the pace.

Armagh make one change from the win over Offaly with Ben Crealey replacing Ryan McShane in the half-forward line with Derry boss Damian McErlain drafting in Ruairi Mooney, Conor McCluskey and Benny Heron after the defeat by Fermanagh.

Fermanagh face Westmeath in Mullingar on Sunday in a game which could prove crucial to the Erne County's promotion prospects.

Derry are fifth in the table on two points - but could yet slip into the relegation mire with Sligo also on two points and Wexford and Offaly yet to register a point.

Antrim's rearranged game in Division Four against Laois is not taking place this weekend with the Leinster county instead travelling to Ruislip to face London.

Tyrone: N Morgan; M McKernan, R McNamee, C McCarron; C Meyler, P Hampsey, K McGeary; C Cavanagh, P Hampsey; M Donnelly, N Sludden, P Harte; L Brennan, C McAliskey, M Bradley.

Monaghan: R Beggan; K Duffy, C Boyle, R Wylie; V Corey, P McGuirk, D Mone; D Hughes, N Kearns; D Ward, F Kelly, R McAnespie; J McCarron, T Kerr, C McCarthy.

Cavan: R Galligan; J McLoughlin, P Faulkner, Conor Brady; M Reilly, Ciaran Brady, E Flanagan; K Clarke, B Magee; D McVeety, C Moynagh, O Kiernan; N Clerkin, G McKiernan, C O'Reilly.

Armagh: B Hughes; P Burns, O Lappin, P Hughes; N Rowland, G McCabe, J McElroy; S Sheridan, C Vernon; B Crealey, A Forker, N Grimley; R Grugan, A Murnin, E Rafferty.

Derry: B McKinless; R Mooney, K Johnston, C McCluskey; M McEvoy, M Bateson; C McAtamney, E Bradley; E Lynn, B Heron, T O'Brien; P McGrogan, M Lynch, J Kielt

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday - 19:00 GMT unless stated

SUNDAY

Division One

HURLING LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday

Division Two A

Sunday