The Donegal senior football team will play their first competitive game of the season this evening when they square off against Armagh in MacCumhaill Park in Section A of the Dr McKenna Cup.
There is huge interest in the fortunes of the senior footballers since Jim McGuinness returned to the hotseat, and there is likely to be a healthy crowd in attendance at the Ballybofey venue.
During McGuinness’s first stint in charge, at times he approached the McKenna Cup differently and even allowed the county Under 21s to represent Donegal during the 2013 season.
The pre-season competition is unlikely to be a huge priority even if Donegal have two tasty fixtures coming up.
The opening National Football League Division 2 game against Cork on Sunday, January 28 is now starting to come into view.
The panel have been training hard and spent a week in Tenerife on a warm weather camp.
However, some players have had niggles and McGuinness wants them to get minutes under their belts before the start of the league.
“We’re trying to come up with a plan for the players who have not seen a lot of game time. That will filter around both the McKenna Cup and the friendly matches as well.
“We need to work hard with a couple of men and get as many men as possible in a position where they are ready for the first league game.”
Donegal begin their McKenna Cup campaign against Armagh this evening at 7.30pm in Ballybofey.
They will then test themselves against Tyrone on the Sunday at 1pm in Healy Park.
If they can top the group, or are the best performing second-placed team, they will advance through to the semi-finals but it is undoubtedly a tough section.
McGuinness said: “We have Armagh in the first game and Tyrone in the second and it doesn’t get any better than that.
“Armagh were in the Ulster Final last year and Tyrone won the All-Ireland a couple of years ago, so they have a great calibre of players, and it will be nice to rubbing shoulders with them.”
McGuinness has named five debutants in his starting line-up with Finnbarr Roarty and Kevin McGettigan (both Naomh Conaill), Ciaran Moore (St Eunan’s) Oisin Caulfield (Na Rossa), Seanan Carr (Four Masters) all included.
Patrick McBrearty will captain the team.
Armagh have named an experimental side, with former Naomh Colmcille player and St Eunan’s College student, Brendan O’Hagan, who now plays for Clan na Gael (Lurgan) named to start at centre half-forward.
The game will be streamed live on Ulster GAA TV at a cost of €12, or GAA fans can buy a pass for the full McKenna Cup for €30.
The Donegal starting team for this evening’s game is as follows: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Kevin McGettigan; Ryan McHugh, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, Ciaran Moore; Jason McGee, Michael Langan; Oisin Caulfield, Ciarán Thompson, Daire Ó Baoill; Aaron Doherty, Patrick McBrearty, Seanan Carr.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)