Ulster Football Championship: No time to catch breath as provincial action starts

Week three will be started by the big one between Derry and Donegal before Tyrone enter the championship fray against either Monaghan or Cavan.

The Red Hands lifted their fourth All-Ireland title as recently as three years ago but injuries and a player drift away from the squad meant Brian Dooher had to blood several youngsters during the recent league campaign, when his fellow joint-manager Feargal Logan wasn’t involved because of illness.

Tyrone’s Spring campaign was mixed as they maintained their Division One status thanks to wins over Roscommon, Mayo and Monaghan, but ended the campaign with an almighty thumping by Kerry, when admittedly they fielded an extremely young side.

Forced to peer into our imaginary crystal ball, the smart money has to be on a repeat of last year’s provincial final which would mean Derry facing Armagh on 12 May.

Eleven month ago, the Oak Leafers’ penalties prowess enabled them to see off the heartbroken Orchard men in an historic provincial final shootout.

A year on, Derry look even more formidable under Harte with most pundits now feeling they have joined Dublin and Kerry in pulling ahead of other All-Ireland contenders Mayo, Galway and Armagh.

However, a seemingly rejuvenated Donegal will represent the toughest of openers for Derry as their messianic returning manager seeks to maintain the championship edge that he held over Harte during his first Tir Chonaill reign.