2 days Ago By [email protected] (Paddy Tierney, Oisin Doherty)
One year on from the ambush that spelled the beginning of the end of Mickey Harte’s reign in Derry, Donegal prepare to lock horns with their north-west neighbours once more as the 2025 Ulster SFC gets under way. This time, Donegal have home advantage as they bid to continue their proud record in MacCumhaill Park under Jim McGuinness. Now in the second year of his second tenure, Donegal have yet to lose in 14 previous games in Ballybofey under his watch.
Derry stand in the way of making it 15 wins and their task is made all the more difficult by an injury crisis on the eve of their Championship campaign. Paddy Tally has named Brendan Rogers at full-back, but the Slaughtneil ace is one of a host of injury concerns with the likes of Odhran Lynch, Anton Tohill, Conor McCluskey and Gareth McKinless all ruled out. McGuinness will seek to exploit Derry’s lack of depth late on and has held Paddy McBrearty, Michael Murphy and Oisin Gallen in reserve this afternoon, although changes on both teams are likely before throw-in.
While Derry’s stock has fallen in the last 12 months since their loss in Celtic Park, Donegal’s is very much on the rise and they are strong favourites to set up a quarter-final clash with Monaghan in a fortnight’s time. We’ll have all the latest build-up and team new ahead of throw-in at 2pm..
