Conn Kilpatrick: Tyrone midfielder set to miss Derry game after red card is upheld

Tyrone produced an impressive display to beat Roscommon in the league opener despite Kilpatrick's sending off

Tyrone midfielder Conn Kilpatrick looks set to miss Sunday's Allianz Football League Division One derby against Mickey Harte's Derry after his sending off against Roscommon was upheld.

Kilpatrick received a straight red card from referee Martin McNally for a high tackle on Roscommon's David Murray.

The GAA's Central Hearing Committee rejected Kilpatrick's plea on Thursday.

He has further appeal options but as it stands will miss the game which sees Harte facing his native county.

Kilpatrick could make a further plea to the GAA's Central Appeals Committee with a final possible course of action, taking the matter to the Disputes Resolution Authority.

The midfielder was sent off early in the second half against the Rossies but despite being down to 14 men, the Red Hands produced an impressive display to earn a deserved 0-17 to 1-11 win, helped by eight points from Darragh Canavan.

Derry boss Mickey Harte will be up against a Tyrone side captained by his nephew Peter

But with the likes Mattie Donnelly, Conor Meyler, Cathal McShane and Kieran McGeary all currently unavailable and Ronan McNamee, Niall Sludden and Richie Donnelly having stepped away from the county squad, Kilpatrick's likely absence will be a blow for managers Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher as they face a Oak Leaf side who won their opener in Kerry.

The Red Hands also have a fitness doubt over Cormac Quinn, who picked up an injury against Roscommon, but on the plus side Darren McCurry will be available after missing the opener because of a one-match ban.

Football contests between Derry and Tyrone invariably have edge but Harte's shock arrival in the Oak Leaf County means Sunday's Celtic Park contest will undoubtedly have an added sense of occasion, with his nephew Peter Harte captaining the Red Hands this season.

Monaghan face Kerry at Clones

After their stunning opening win over Dublin at Croke Park, Monaghan face last year's other All-Ireland Finalists Kerry at Clones on Sunday.

The Kingdom, will once again be without the Clifford brothers, as they attempt to get off the mark after being punished for missed late goal chances in the 0-15 to 2-8 defeat by the Oak Leafers.

Despite the absence of Rory Beggan, Monaghan clinched a 3-9 to 1-14 win over the Dubs with youngster Ciaran McNulty announcing his arrival on to the inter-county stage by hitting the winning point after earlier firing into the net.

The emergence of new talent has come at the right time for Monaghan with Shane Carey and Fintan Kelly joining Kieran Hughes in retiring from inter-county duty and defender Conor Boyle opting out for this year because of family and work commitments.

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Stephen O'Hanlon was also among the Farney goal-scorers last weekend as he tormented the Dublin defence.

However, Sunday's game is likely to be a tough examination for Monaghan against a Kerry team that performed impressively in the second half against the Oak Leafers after falling six behind.

Another Kerry defeat would already leave the Kingdom with not much more margin for error in terms of preserving their Division One status so they will travel to Clones with plenty of motivation.

Monaghan boss Vinny Corey is unlikely to tinker in a big way with last weekend's starting line-up with Conor McManus, Conor McCarthy and Darren Hughes again unlikely to feature.

Kieran Donnelly's Fermanagh side led for the most of the game at Pairc Tailteann last weekend but had to settle for a draw

Fermanagh face Kildare in BBC streamed game

The weekend Division Two action includes Saturday evening's BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website live streamed contest between Fermanagh and Kildare at Brewster Park.

Fermanagh were the only of the nine Ulster counties not to win their league opener but importantly avoided defeat as they drew 1-9 to 0-12 against Meath in Navan after being three points up with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

Ultan Kelm produced another all-action display for the Ernemen at Pairc Tailteann and his performance will be important against a Lilywhites side that suffered a 0-12 to 0-16 defeat by Cavan in their opener at their current home venue of Dr Cullen Park in Carlow.

After scratching out an opening 0-12 to 0-11 win over Louth, Armagh are once more at home as they face Meath in another game that throws in at 18:00 GMT on Saturday evening.

Following their impressive 1-20 to 2-6 triumph over Cork, Donegal face the relatively short journey to Breffni Park to take on Raymond Galligan's Cavan.

The derby game will inevitably bring back memories of Cavan's shock Ulster Final win over Donegal in November 2020 when Galligan was between the posts for the Breffnimen.

Donegal, under then boss Declan Bonner, did gain revenge in the 2022 Ulster semi-final but those days seem almost a lifetime ago with Jim McGuinness now back in charge of the Tir Chonaill men and Mickey Graham having stood down in Cavan.

Cavan will surely give Donegal a much sterner test than Cork managed last weekend but McGuinness looks to have put his players through a decent body of work and they will be expected to pick up another two points.

Antrim's big opportunity

In Division Three, Down will be fancied to make it back-to-back opening wins on Saturday evening when they host a Limerick side that suffered a 2-14 to 2-7 defeat by Antrim last weekend.

And after their opening victory last weekend, the Saffrons have a great opportunity to set up themselves up for a strong promotion challenge when they host Offaly at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

The Midlanders will travel to Belfast after suffering a 1-11 to 0-10 defeat by Westmeath in Tullamore so the home fans will surely make the short journey to the game with a justifiable degree of confidence.