Here's a look at the teams vying for the Dr Maguire Cup in Donegal

KILCAR

Manager: Mark Sweeney

Last year championship: Lost out at quarter-final stage

This year ACFL: Finished 6th

First two opponents: Ardara (a), Four Masters (h)

Prospects: After a poor start to the league, the Towney residents came good in the second half and produced some good results. Word on the ground is that Patrick McBrearty will not be back this year which is a blow, but they will have the three McHughs

Star man: Ryan McHugh

NAOMH COLUMBA

Manager: Brendan Doherty

Last year championship: Won Intermediate Championship

This year ACFL: Promoted and Division 2 champions

First two opponents: Glenfin (a); Gaoth Dobhair (h)

Prospects: It has been a good year for the south-west club and they are one of the form teams at the moment. Back in the senior championship will present a much different challenge but there are few that relish a challenge like Naomh Columba.

Star man: Aaron Doherty

NAOMH CONAILL

Manager: Martin Regan

Last year championship: Dr Maguire holders after defeating Gaoth Dobhair in final

This year ACFL: Finished 5th

First two opponents: Downings (h); Aodh Ruadh (a)

Prospects: Winning last year’s final was just about as good as it got for Naomh Conaill, who looked dead and buried, but they came back as they always do. Will again be in the top two or three on most people’s lists for Dr Maguire.

Star man: Finnbarr Roarty

TERMON

Manager: Caolan McDaid

Last year championship: Defeated in quarter-final

This year ACFL: Finished 4th in Div 1

First two opponents: Glenswilly (a); Glenfin (h)

Prospects: Termon had a great run in the championship last year and only lost out to eventual winners Naomh Conaill by a point. Had a reasonable league too and they will hope to go one better then last year at least.

Star man: Dáire McDaid

ST EUNAN’S

Manager: Kieran Donnelly

Last year championship: Defeated in preliminary quarter-final by Termon

This year ACFL: Finished 3rd Div 1

First two opponents: Aodh Ruadh (h); MacCumhaill’s (a)

Prospects: The loss to Termon last year was a bitter pill for one of the perennial favourites. With a new outside boss in Kieran Donnelly they have had a reasonable league and with their county stars back they will be in the argument again this year.

Star man: Shane O’Donnell

ST MICHAEL’S

Manager: Cathal Sweeney/Raymond McLaughlin

Last year championship: Lost out at the semi-final stage

This year ACFL: Won relegation play-off to stay in Div 1

First two opponents: Gaoth Dobhair (a), Ardara (h)

Prospects: It was a tough year for the Bridge boys in the league but they came good winning the final three matches. Will have Michael Langan back and they will be competitive but whether they can go one better than last year remains to be seen.

Star man: Michael Langan.

GAOTH DOBHAIR

Manager: Ronan Mac Niallais

Last year championship: Lost county final

This year ACFL: Relegated to Div 2

First two opponents: St Michael’s (h); Naomh Columba (a)

Prospects: Many people are wondering what has gone wrong in Gaoth Dobhair. Has the co final defeat and the manner of it been a factor? Still they won the Donegal and All-Ireland Gaeltacht and seemed to be going well in June but it has been downhill since. Need to get their act together.

Star man: Dáire Ó Baoill

MacCUMHAILL’S

Manager: Luke Gavigan and Damian Devaney

Last year championship: Lost out in quarter-final

This year ACFL: Finished 9th in Division 1

First two opponents: Dungloe (a); St Eunan’s (h)

Prospects: The Twin Towns side will welcome back Oisin Gallen and hope he is clear of injury that curtailed his county appearances. Haven’t pushed on after a couple of good seasons and will need to improve on league form to be in mix.

Star man: Oisin Gallen

GLENFIN

Manager: Frank McGlynn

Last year championship: Retained their senior championship status

This year ACFL: Finished 8th

First two opponents: Naomh Columba (h); Termon (a)

Prospects: Dogged fighters but not in the picture for championship honours. That would describe Glenfin for most years since coming back up to senior championship. Hard to see them being in the mix but they will give any big team a fright..

Star man: Luke McGlynn

GLENSWILLY

Manager: Darren McGinley

Last year championship: Lost out at preliminary quarter-final

This year ACFL: Finished 6th in Division 1

First two opponents: Termon (h); Na Dunaibh (a)

Prospects: The Glen men have dropped back a little in the order but still have a lot of good young players and with Michael Murphy back nobody will want to get them. Could be a dark horse.

Star man: Michael Murphy

FOUR MASTERS

Manager: Barry Dunnion

Last year championship: Lost out in semi-final to Naomh Conaill

This year ACFL: Division 1 winners

First two opponents: Killybegs (h); Kilcar(a)

Prospects: One of the real contenders. They almost made final last year and now with a little bit more experience they will be one of the teams to beat. Abundance of young talent, they should be given their head like Mayo.

Star man: Turlough Carr

AODH RUADH

Manager: Seosamh Mac Ceallabhuí

Last year championship: Defeated St Naul’s in SFC relegation play-off

This year ACFL: Finished 10th in Div 1l

First two opponents: St Eunan’s (a), Naomh Conaill (h)

Prospects: Did well to survive in Div 1 but have been handed the toughest draw of all the teams. Will be hoping for a better draw in rounds 3 and 4 but likely to be in the relegation mix once more.

Star man: Jack Gallagher

ARDARA

Manager: Clint Walsh

Last year championship: Kept status with relegation play-off semi-final win over St Naul;s

This year ACFL: 2nd in Division 2 and promoted

First two opponents: Kilcar (h); St Michael’s (a)

Prospects: Have been a Jekyll and Hyde team this year as the results show. At their best they will be a match for most with Eoghan Ban McNelis a mighty weapon for two pointers. Need to be more consistent if they are to reach quarter-finals.

Star man: Eoghan Ban McNelis

DUNGLOE

Manager: Noel McBride

Last year championship: Lost to Four Masters in quarter-final

This year ACFL: Lost Div 1 final to Four Masters

First two opponents: MacCumhaill’s (h); Killybegs (a)

Prospects: It has been another consistent year for Dungloe and they reached the league final under new manager Noel McBride. Might be lacking that little bit of firepower up front to make the real breakthrough but will be there or thereabouts.

Star man: Karl Magee

KILLYBEGS

Manager: Pauric Bonner

Last year championship: Preliminary round SFC quarter-final loss to Naomh Conaill

This year ACFL: 5th in Division 2.

First two opponents: Four Masters (a); Dungloe (h)

Prospects: Like a number of clubs it’s hard to see them being involved come the business end of the championship and surviving will be to the forefront. Big Hugh McFadden and Eoghan Ban Gallagher returning will help to make them competitive.

Star man: Hugh McFadden

NA DUNAIBH

Manager: Kevin Gallagher

Last year championship: Lost out in preliminary quarter-final to MacCumhaill’s

This year ACFL: Finished 10th in Division 2

First two opponents: Naomh Conaill (a); Glenswilly (h)

Prospects: Last year the Rosguill club had the boost of having Meath star Cian McBride and he is back again after a good year at midfield for the Royals. They will need Johnny McGroddy back from Boston. Will need all the help they can get after a very tough draw.

Star man: Cian McBride