MacCumhaill Park back on the table for Donegal's Ulster SFC opener with Down

Donegal’s opening Ulster SFC clash with Down could yet take place at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey.

Jim McGuinness’ side get the defence of the Anglo Celt Cup up and running with the Mourne County scheduled to visit the north west on Sunday, April 26.

Donegal GAA had to nominate a venue last month as Ulster looked to rubber-stamp their provincial championship schedule.

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O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny was the choice of ground sent forward but DonegalLive understands that both the Donegal board and the Ulster Council have an understanding that if development work being carried out at MacCumhaill Park is completed with sufficient notice, then the scope exists to revert back to their traditional home venue.

MacCumhaill Park is currently undergoing a €500,000 redevelopment that will deliver a brand-new pitch, upgraded floodlights and improved facilities for supporters.

That work began last August with Contractor William Coyle of Buncrana-based Pitch Dimensions looking after the resurfacing work.

DonegalLive has also been told that work “is well on schedule” but that the final say will come down to the contractor on whether or not the pitch is ready to see action by late April.

Meanwhile, Donegal senior football boss McGuinness, speaking after last weekend’s win over Dublin at Croke Park, was asked about flip-flopping between Letterkenny and Ballyshannon during the league.

But the manager says it’s not that big of a deal and that it’s something players don’t really concern themselves with.

“It’s no big deal, you just suck it up. It’s a bit like coming away from home tonight. Your only focus is trying to win the game.

“Kerry have to come up to Donegal next week, and they’ll just be looking to win the game. We had four home games last season, we have three this year.

“It doesn’t really matter. At the end of the day, we have a focus for what we want to get out of the league.

“We want to get depth and young players blooded if we can. And that is the number one priority so if we lose some games we won’t panic.

“The great thing about tonight is that we have two points on the board, straight away. So four more might be enough.

“That’s the positive going back up the road. We have six games left, and it potentially allows more flexibility”.