Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Derry's defending was baffling. Mickey Harte will earn his corn over next few weeks

In terms of winning the All-Ireland are they better off avoiding the bear pit that is the Ulster championship? Maybe.  Meanwhile, Mayo remain as enigmatic as ever.

JIMMY'S WINNING MATCHES: Donegal manager Jim McGuinness and Derry Manager Mickey Harte at the end of the game. Pic: Lorcan Doherty, Inpho

Donegal’s great win on Saturday has blown the Ulster championship wide open. All four semi-finalists will feel they can win it as they are all capable of beating each other on a given day. The Jim McGuinness effect is a thing, once more. And the championship is all the better for it.

In attempting to analyse their victory over Derry at Celtic Park, it is a challenge to figure out whether it was down to how well Donegal played or how poor the Division 1 League champions were. Generally I prefer to credit the victors.