Donegal's troubles look set to continue

ALL-IRELAND SFC QUALIFIERS ROUND THREE:Donegal v Derry, Venue:Ballybofey, Throw-in:7pm, today

A YEAR ago this fixture was seen as a significant obstacle for Derry in the Ulster championship, one they were very happy to surmount. Much has happened in the meantime and little of it to Donegal’s advantage.

Relegation, an embarrassing championship defeat at home to Antrim and a couple of lacklustre qualifier victories culminating in the injury that rules out Christy Toye from this evening’s match, with Brain Roper coming in.

A feeling that Derry will find it hard to reproduce the form that put away Monaghan constitutes some relief for the home side but there isn’t much in Donegal’s totals against Carlow and Clare to give them confidence.

Certainly a performance as flat as the one against Tyrone would give Donegal real hope but Derry are stronger than they were in Belfast with the return of Fergal Doherty and James Kielt, suggesting they will be too good for their neighbours even if they don’t reach the same scoring heights.

DONEGAL (SF v Derry):P Durcan; F McGlynn, N McGee, K Lacey; B Dunnion, B Monaghan, E McGee; L McLoone, K Cassidy; R Kavanagh (capt), B Roper, D Walsh; C Dunne, M Murphy, C McFadden.

DERRY:TBA