5.
Gaoth DobhairManager: Trevor Alcorn Last year championship: SFC quarter-finalists lost to Naomh Conaill Last year AFCL: Fifth in Division 1First three opponents: 2/4 St Michael’s home, 1-/4 Ardara away, 16/10 Killybegs,home. Prospects: They have dropped from the dizzy heights of a few seasons ago when they won the Ulster championship. New manager Trevor Alcorn will be anxious to restore them to the exalted high of 2018 and the Ulster final win over Scotstown. The talent is still there but is the appetite?Star man: Odhran MacNiallais
6.
CloughaneelyManager: Michael LynchLast year championship: Donegal IFC winnersLast year AFCL: Sixth in Division 1First three opponents: 3/4 Glenfin home, 10/4 Aodh Ruadh away, 16/4 Bundoran homeProspects: Boosted by winning the IFC last season, Cloughaneely have become an established side in the top flight with the SFC to look forward to down the track. Michael Lynch has been reappointed to the manager’s role, a spell that began following the 2016 campaign, when he was promoted from being John Paul Gallagher’s assistant. Star man: John Fitzgerald
7.
ArdaraManager: Damian DevaneyLast year's championship: Survived in the SFC with a quarter-final relegation play-off victory over Glenswilly.Last year ACFL: Finished seventh in Division 1.First three opponents: 3/4 Naomh Conaill away; 10/4 Gaoth Dobhair home; 17/4 St Eunan's awayProspects: Survival in top flight will again be an objective and they have a really tough opening period, facing three of the big guns. But it will be the games against the so-called bottom six which will determine where they finish. Perennial battlers and they will have Paddy McGrath this year.Star man: John Ross Molloy
8.
KillybegsManagers: Antoine O'Hara and Shane MolloyLast year championship: Defeated Glenfin in relegation play-off quarter-final to stay in SFCLast year's ACFL: Finished eighth in Division 1.First three opponents: 2/4 Glenswilly away; 9/4 Naomh Conaill home; 16/4 Gaoth Dobhair awayProspects: Under a new management team, who took over from John Cunningham, they will be targeting keeping their place in Division One. With new voices in the dressing room, they could give teams a run for their money in Fintra.Star man: Jack McSharry