Ulster final returns to Croker

Ulster football fans can look forward to a July jaunt south after the Ulster Council last night opted to stage their SFC final at Croke Park next month.

Ulster football fans can look forward to a July jaunt south after the Ulster Council last night opted to stage its SFC final at Croke Park next month.

The council has brought the dates for the senior and minor deciders forward by one week to July 10 to fit in with the scheduling at headquarters.

The original date of July 17 was settled upon by the council, but with Croke Park unavailable due to the Leinster final being staged there on the same day, the Ulster final has been brought forward.

It will be the second successive year in which the final has been played at the Dublin venue, after Armagh's 3-15 to 0-11 defeat of Donegal in front of 60,000 spectators almost 12 months ago.

The same two sides clash in this Saturday's quarter-final replay, with the winners to face Derry at the end of the month.

Tyrone and Cavan contest the other semi-final this Sunday.