Donegal versus Sligo; this time it’s for real

OPINIONS might be mixed on the championship’s second chance system, but its capacity to throw up unusual pairings is undeniable.

For the second time in a week, close neighbours in the west who rarely, if ever, meet outside challenge games, will contest a do-or-die championship battle.

Unlike the hurlers of Clare and Galway, the footballers of Donegal and Sligo have never met before in a competitive summer game. They do tend to play each other a lot at this time of year, but it is mostly friendly games to keep the teams limber for up-coming championship clashes.