Donegal chomping at bit for Kerry clash

UNLIKE 12 months ago, the Croke Park floodlights will go unused for the opening weekend of the National Football League but the meeting of the league and All-Ireland champions in Ballybofey should still be an illuminating spectacle.

Last March in Letterkenny, though they met at very different junctures in their seasons’ preparations, the counties delivered perhaps the best game of the competition.

While Kerry were still well short of full strength, Donegal fielded a virtual championship 15 and the disparity in front-line troops swung the balance in the host’s favour.