Down progression should remain on the right track

ULSTER SFC QUARTER-FINAL/Donegal v Down: DEPENDING ON who you're listening to up around the old border country, Donegal are either suffering from a crisis of confidence in themselves and their manager John Joe Doherty or else are about to unleash something of their true potential.

It’s more likely to be somewhere along the middle ground, if there is such a thing, as Down, recently promoted to Division One, look to maintain their steady progress under manager James McCartan.

Donegal still present a difficult challenge. Rory Kavanagh returns to the forwards having missed the entire league campaign due to his globe-trotting. Brendan Boyle does miss out with a groin injury, but Barry Monaghan and Neil Gallagher form a strong midfield, with fit-again Christy Toye part of a formidable attack that includes young footballer of the year Michael Murphy.

Down captain Ambrose Rogers isn’t at full speed yet due to a recent foot injury, but they have strength in numbers now, with Kalum King playing a big role at midfield, Marty Clarke back from Australia, and Dan Gordon also back on board.

The concern for Donegal supporters is that their team’s encouraging league form abandoned them in the closing rounds, and they thus lost out on the all-Ulster race for promotion behind Down and Armagh.

DONEGAL: P Durcan; F McGlynn, N McGee, K Lacey; M Maguire, K Cassidy, B Dunnion; B Monaghan, N Gallagher; R Kavanagh, C Toye, D Walsh; D Molloy, M Murphy, C Dunne.

DOWN: B McVeigh; B McArdle, D Rooney, D Rafferty; K McKernan, J Colgan, C Garvey; D Gordon, K King; D Hughes, M Poland, P McComiskey; B Coulter, J Clarke, M Clarke.

Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).

In the Last Episode: Donegal have the better championship record, winning in 2002, 2003, and 2006, and Down seek their first championship win over Donegal since 1996.

You Bet:The bookies have a hard time separating this one, with Donegal at 11/10, the draw at 13/2, and Down at 11/10.

On Your Marks: Donegal were shockingly poor in their final league match, producing a pathetic 0-6 to Armagh's 2-16, and they quite clearly can't afford to pick up here where they left off there.

Gaining Ground:MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey hasn't exactly been a kind home ground to Donegal in recent years. Two years ago, they lost to Derry here, and even worse last year lost to Antrim.

Just The Ticket: This is not an all-ticket event. Patrons can pay into the terrace at the gate. Ticket Prices: Terrace €15/£13; Open Seating €25/£21; Covered Stand €27/£23; Concessions: OAP Terrace €10/£9; OAP Open Seating €15/£13; Juvenile (U16) Open Seating €5/£5; Under 16s free into terrace.

Crystal Gazing: Down just about emerge as the likely winners here, but it's far from a clear as Donegal certainly have the potential to produce the home victory.