Donegal to face Derry at home in Dr McKenna Cup campaign opener

Donegal have learned their fixtures for Section C of the 2026 McKenna Cup against Derry and Antrim.

Jim McGuinness’ men will face Derry in their opening game of what will be the 100th anniversary of the competition, taking place at O’Donnell Park on Sunday, January 4 at 1.30pm.

They will have a bye in the second game, with Derry facing Antrim at Celtic Park on Wednesday, January 7, before Jim McGuinness’ side travels to Cargin to face Mark Doran’s side on Sunday, January 11, at 1.30pm.

The opening match will be a repeat of the final from the last instalment of the competition, when the Oak Leaf County won by a score of 0-12 to 0-6.

Luke Barrett was part of the Donegal backroom team that year, but he has since linked up with Derry, managed by Ciarán Meenagh.

Barrett was part of the set-up as they won back-to-back Ulster titles and reached the All-Ireland final, but stepped away from the backroom team back in September to “pursue further education”, while he was coach at Loughmacrory as they won the Tyrone Senior Championship.

Fermanagh, managed by former Donegal manager Declan Bonner, have been drawn in Section B with Cavan and Monaghan.

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The Na Rossa clubman managed his native county from 1997 to 2000 and again from 2017 to 2021, where he won two Ulster titles.

Bonner has since led Erne Gaels to two in a row in the Fermanagh Senior Championship, the first coming after a 43-year drought.

In Section A, Armagh, Tyrone and Down will meet.

Section C fixtures are as follows: 

Round 1

Sunday, January 4

Donegal vs Derry, 1.30pm, O’Donnell Park

Round 2

Wednesday, January 7

Derry vs Antrim, 7.30pm, Owenbeg

Sunday, January 11

Round 3

Antrim vs Donegal, 1.30pm, Cargin