Dates and times for this weekend's club championship openers

Naomh Conaill are the defending champions and no doubt old foes like St Eunan’s and Gaoth Dobhair, looking to bounce back from Division 1 relegation, will be gunning for their regular deep SFC runs.

However, like 2025 showed, new forces are emerging, none more so than the likes of Four Masters and Termon, who both came agonisingly close to toppling the Glenties men last season.

The introduction of the Football Review Committee’s new playing rules had a brilliant effect on last season’s championships so it’ll be interesting to see if that trend continues.

Kieran Donnelly will be looking to put a real stamp on matters at O’Donnell Park and last season’s exit, controversial as it was, at the hands of Termon will still sting with the Black and Amber.

Naomh Columba step up from Intermediate ranks and with the Division 2 league title already under their arm, it’ll be interesting to see can Brendan Doherty’s charges, with Aaron Doherty to the fore there, make a similar dent to surprise packet Termon’s in 2025.

The caveat accompanying the opening rounds of the club championships is that a raft of players are currently Stateside for the summer and it might present a number of more settled teams with the chance to nail some early points to the board.

The action gets going on Saturday evening and with games staggered across the weekend, the chance is certainly there for supporters to get out and about after several idle weekends on the Gaelic football front.

First up on Saturday are the clashes of Gaoth Dobhair and St Michael’s and historic rivals St Eunan’s and Aodh Ruadh, with both games scheduled to start at 5pm.

At 7.30pm, Martin Regan’s champions host Na Dunaibh while Glenswilly entertain local rivals Termon at the same time.

Moving on to Sunday, Glenfin get the afternoon going with 2025 IFC winners Naomh Columba coming to Pairc Taobhoige at 2pm.

Later that same day, at 3.15pm in Rosses Park, Dungloe tangle with MacCumhaills while at 4pm in Pearse Memorial Park, there is the all-southwest encounter between Ardara and Kilcar.

Bringing the curtain down on the opening weekend’s action are Barry Dunnion’s young guns at Four Masters who welcome Killybegs to Tír Conaill Park at 4pm.

There is also a full round of IFC action down for consideration across the weekend.

On Saturday, Naomh Muire and Milford clash at the Banks at 5pm, while after that, Carndonagh and Buncrana tussle in an All-Inishowen affair, while Gaeil Fhánada host Burt. Both those games are pencilled in for 7.30pm starts.

Sunday begins with St Naul’s taking on Red Hughs in Mountcharles at 2pm while Realt na Mara host Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin in Bundoran at 4pm.

Elsewhere, Malin take on Cloich Cheann Fhaola at Connolly Park at 4pm.

Finally, in the Junior A championship, Urris vs Naomh Pasdraig, Lifford and Pettigo vs Moville get matters going there on Saturday at 5pm.

Later that evening, Naomh Ultan host Na Rossa at 7.30pm in Dunkineely.

Moving onto Sunday, Naomh Muire of Convoy welcome Letterkenny Gaels at 2pm while Naomh Colmcille tackle Robert Emmets at 4pm.

At the time of going to print, no referees had yet been appointed to the above respective fixtures.

Senior Football Championship

Saturday, August 8

Gaoth Dobhair v St Michael's, 5:00 pmSt Eunan's v Aodh Ruadh, 5:00 pmNaomh Conaill v Downings, 7:30 pmGlenswilly v Termon, 7:30 pm

Sunday, August 9

Glenfin v Naomh Columba, 2:00 pmDungloe v Sean MacCumhaills, 3:15 pmArdara v Kilcar, 4:00 pmFour Masters v Killybegs, 4:00 pm

Intermediate Football Championship

Saturday, August 8

Naomh Muire v Milford, 5:00 pmCarndonagh v Buncrana, 7:30 pmFanad Gaels v Burt, 7:30 pm

Sunday, August 9

St Naul's v Red Hughs, 2:00 pmBundoran v Naomh Pádraig, Lifford, 4:00 pmMalin v Cloich Cheann Fhaola, 4:00 pm

Junior A Football Championship

Saturday, August 8

Urris v Naomh Pádraig, Lifford, 5:00 pm

Pettigo v Moville, 5:00 pm

Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa, 7:30 pm

Sunday, August 9

Naomh Mhuire Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels, 2:00 pm

Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets, 4:00 pm