Derry v Donegal: Match details, news, and where you can watch it
Jim McGuinness’s men aim for back-to-back Ulster championships, while Paddy Tally’s side look to overcome league struggles and squad setbacks in Ballybofey clash
Championship season is here and that means Jim McGuinness’s Donegal are chasing back-to-back Ulster titles, while Paddy Tally’s Derry will be determined to put their League struggles behind them.
The race for the Anglo-Celt Cup is always fiercely contested, with no shortage of teams capable of making a serious challenge.
Donegal, last year’s Ulster champions, begin their defence with a tricky preliminary-round fixture against their near neighbours Derry in Ballybofey.
McGuinness’s men arrive at this stage on the back of consecutive League defeats, having fallen short against both Tyrone and Mayo in their final outings.
Earlier in the campaign, Donegal and Derry had already faced off in Ballyshannon, where the Oak Leafers looked to have the upper hand for much of the match. However, a late Donegal rally — capped off by a decisive Shane O’Donnell goal — saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
For Derry, the Championship presents a clean slate after a miserable League run that yielded just a single point, courtesy of a draw with Galway.
Tally, however, has more than just form to worry about, as injuries could leave him without as many as nine players from his panel—a major headache ahead of their opening test.
Despite Donegal being tipped as favourites, Championship football has a way of ignoring predictions. League form often counts for little, and with the new regulations now locked in, anything could unfold once the action gets underway.
Match Details
Fixture: Donegal v Derry
Competition: Ulster Senior Football Championship, Preliminary Round
Date and Venue: Sunday, April 6, MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey
Throw-in: 2pm
Live Broadcast: The match will be shown on RTÉ2 on ‘The Sunday Game’, with live coverage starting at 1.45pm