McFadden: You won’t sit around worrying about the league now

Although some of the fizz has been taken out of the provincial championships since the introduction of the qualifiers back in 2001, there’s a semblance of a climactic feel to Donegal’s preliminary round opener against Cavan in Ballybofey tomorrow.

Early days it may be, but the Super 8s will feel like an awful long way for whoever comes out defeated, with Donegal tipped by many to reach that stage and Cavan justifiably possessing hopes of their own having gained promotion to Division 1 in the spring.

With Tyrone and Monaghan on the other side of the Ulster draw and a now Division 4 Derry awaiting the winners from tomorrow, there might just be an avenue of opportunity for the winners of the preliminary round tie in Ulster.