DONEGAL’S odds of becoming Ulster champions for the first time since 2014 have been cut in half after their emphatic victory over Cavan in Ballybofey.

Declan Bonner’s side had room to spare as they notched two goals and 20 points to Cavan’s 1-15 on Sunday, setting up a quarter-final tie with Derry in two weeks’ time. They were backed into 7/4 from 7/2 overnight and are closing in on 5/4 favourites Tyrone, who begin their campaign against 16-time Ulster Champions Monaghan this weekend.

Donegal also closed into 20/1 from 33/1 in the All-Ireland outright market and now find themselves just behind 16/1 shots Mayo, who drifted significantly off the back of their last ditch defeat to Galway in Castlebar.

Johnny Heaney’s injury time goal means Galway are now odds-on favourites at 8/15 to win the Connacht title, and 10/1 from 12/1 to get their hands on the Sam Maguire for the first time in 17 years.

Lawrence Lyons, Spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “Donegal once again looked formidable at home and although their road form will be put to the test at Celtic Park in a fortnight, our customers have backed them into 7/4 from 7/2 for the Ulster title and are clearly confident that Donegal will be contesting the final for the seventh time in eight years.”

Ulster SFC 2018
5/4         Tyrone
7/4         Donegal
9/2         Monaghan
14/1       Down
16/1       Armagh
25/1       Derry
40/1       Fermanagh
80/1       Antrim

All Ireland SFC 2018
8/11       Dublin
9/2         Kerry
10/1      Galway
10/1      Tyrone
16/1       Mayo
20/1      Donegal
33/1 bar