SUNDAY
Ulster SFC preliminary round
Down v Donegal, Páirc Esler, 1pm
ONLINE
Live blog and live scores on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app
TV
Live on RTÉ One
Highlights on The Sunday Game, 9.30pm, RTÉ One
RADIO
Live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport.
WEATHER
Largely dry with cloud building during the morning mixed with some sunshine. A few well scattered showers will likely develop. Highest temperatures 16 to 20 or 21 degrees with light to moderate northerly breezes.
For more see met.ie
KICKING THINGS OFF IN ULSTER
It is the footballers of Donegal and Down that get the bearpit that is Ulster football up and running in 2021.
The first live Sunday Game offering of the season pits two sides that fell along the way in Cavan's unlikely provincial success last year.
Down appeared to be well on their way when they held at one stage a 10-point lead over the Breffni men in the 2020 semi-final before succumbing to a Cavan revival, while Donegal need little reminding that the favourites tag counted for little on the day Raymond Galligan lifted the Anglo Celt Cup at his side's expense last November.
The slate is now wiped clean and despite home advantage, Down have it all to do to upset Declan Bonner's men.
The vibes coming out of the Down camp have not been particularly good, with Conor Poland and the Johnson brothers of Kilcoo leaving the panel. The breach of Covid restrictions ahead of the league campaign was also a blot on the copybook.
On the pitch things have also been testing.
Relegation to Division 3 - after heavy defeats to Meath and Mayo - was avoided with a play-off victory over Laois but question marks remain over whether their rigid defensive set-up is capable is causing enough trouble at the other end of the pitch to take down any of the provincial big hitters.
What they do possess is bundles of pace, with the first-half showing against Cavan a scintillating display before things unravelled after the break.
Kevin McKiernan could start on the edge of the square or at centre-back, but in all likelihood will be operating in a sweeping role. What Donegal do to combat his influence is where Declan Bonner will earn his crust.
If there are question marks hovering over Down for this game, then the jury is very much out in relation to Donegal's All-Ireland credentials.
A shock result against Cavan put paid to a three-in-a-row, but in the previous two seasons, Bonner's men failed to emerge out of the Super 8s. The potential is undoubtedly there, but there are causes for concern.
Firstly, simply getting their best players onto the Newry pitch will be a challenge. Captain Michael Murphy, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Jamie Brennan, Stephen McMenamin, Odhrán Mac Niallais and Oisin Gallen are all battling to be fit.
The loss of talismanic Murphy would be a huge blow. Aside from his in-play contributions and leadership quality, his absence in the league saw Donegal struggle on right-footed frees at times, with Patrick McBrearty more than capable on the other side.
Given Down's main attacking ploy is like to be surging runs with support line for the man in possession, Donegal's porous defence on display against Monaghan will have Bonner reexamining his approach.
The Farney men ruthlessly exposed the 2012 All-Ireland champions, plundering four goals but coughing up five further opportunities to raise green flags.
Anything remotely like the space afforded in front of goalkeeper Shaun Patton would spell serious trouble for the visitors, but from midfield up, the team look in good fettle, not withstanding the injury worries.
Ciaran Thompson and Michael Langan will be key figures on the half-forward line and should Murphy fail to prove his fitness, a greater responsibility falls on McBrearty to deliver.
Follow all the championship matches this weekend with our live blogs on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
Watch Down v Donegal and Clare v Waterford live on RTÉ One (from 12.55pm) and see highlights of all the weekend's action on The Sunday Game at 9.30pm on RTÉ One.
Listen to live and exclusive national radio commentaries on RTÉ Radio 1's Saturday and Sunday Sport.
