The last time Donegal drew a bumper crowd to Ballybofey was in January for what turned out to be a McKenna Cup final hiding from All-Ireland champions Tyrone, who posted a withering reminder of the provincial pecking order. But the mere presence of 12,000 people in mid-winter was a perfect illustration of how completely Brian McEniff electrified local interest in the Donegal game through last summer.
A year after those cavalier adventures, Donegal resume the championship trail leaving most people in the dark as to what they are capable of. An Ulster title is their immediate wish.
In gaining promotion from Division Two during the league this year, they were rarely more than ordinary and concede that luck earned them at least one result. But unlike previous Donegal teams, this bunch are not suited to the steady, prosaic requirements of league: they are a streak team. The thing is, they need to start blowing hot soon.
In the league McEniff unearthed another eye-catching defender in Eamon McGee. The loss through injury of Brian Roper, a player who goes through boundless work on any afternoon, might be a problem source. However, it has allowed McEniff to run with an intriguing selection, with the precocious Colm McFadden starting along side the prized pairing of Adrian Sweeney and Brendan Devenney in the full-forward line.
Antrim manager PJ O'Hare will undoubtedly target the inexperienced Donegal midfield pairing of Brendan Boyle and Brian McLaughlin as a pressure point to lean on but Stephen McDermott will undoubtedly drift in from the wing to play in that sector.
O'Hare supervised a good league. The one glaringly sore spot was the whipping they received from Derry but midfielder Mark McGourty had just returned from injury then while Gearóid Adams was on the sick list.
Donegal are probably less bullish and confident about their abilities than they should be and there is a slightly adventurous tint to this selection.
But it is heavy with attacking potential and unless they disappear into an Enniskillen-like championship vortex on this opening day, they should out-shoot their opponents with comfortable ease.
ANTRIM: S McGreevy; N Ward, C Brady, T Convery; G Adams, S Kelly, A Finnegan; J Quinn, M McCrory; M McGarry, K Brady, K McCourty; P Doherty, D O'Hare, K Madden.
DONEGAL: P Durcan; N McCready, R Sweeney, D Diver; E Magee, B Monaghan, K Cassidy; B Boyle, B McLoughlin; C Toye, M Hegarty, S McDermott; C McFadden, A Sweeney, B Devenney.
Donegal v Antrim
Sunday, Ballybofey, 3.30
