The 2022 Ulster Final is one of the most intriguing contests of the Championship campaign so far and Derry and Donegal go head-to-head at a sold-out St Tiernach’s Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Oak Leaf County are bidding for their first provincial title since 1998 while Declan Bonner’s men were denied a hat-trick of Ulster titles by Cavan in 2020.
Donegal defeated Division One rivals Armagh in Ballybofey before seeing off Cavan in Clones in the Ulster SFC.
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Yet, the undoubted story of the Championship season has been the remarkable rise of Derry and they claimed the biggest scalp of the year when they defeated All-Ireland champions Tyrone in Omagh at the start of the month.
They franked the form with a four-point win over Monaghan in the Athletic Grounds. The big question is, can they topple Donegal and end their 24-year wait for an Ulster title?
We canvassed the opinions of a number of GAA personalities from across the province to get their verdict on Sunday’s big game. . .
Eamon McGee (2012 All-Ireland winner with Donegal)
“I’m tempted to plump for a comfortable Donegal win but I'll play it safe I’ll say Donegal will win by 3-4 points.
“The first half will be cagey as both sound each other out and won’t want to give either defensive system oxygen, but as Donegal pull away Derry will throw caution to the wind and Donegal will struggle which will turn the last 10-15 minutes into a really exciting affair.
“We all think (Brendan) Rogers will pick up (Michael) Murphy, but I think Rory (Gallagher) will throw a curveball in terms of the match ups and put someone else on him.
"I think (Chrissy) McKaigue will pick up (Paddy) McBrearty. Donegal’s kick-out press on Odhran Lynch will be the winning of the game."
Verdict: Donegal
Paddy Bradley (Former Derry star and current Derry U20 manager)
“I’m going for a Derry win. Momentum is huge. Lots of boys playing their best football.
“I think we have great athleticism in the team, great pace all over the park and I'm thinking we can get a goal or two.
“Donegal haven't really clicked and I think, whilst you fear their forward line might, as they have good scoring forwards, I feel we have the defenders to keep them relatively quiet.
“I think it will be cagey and I think our goal threat from the pace we have breaking lines from deep could be pivotal.”
Verdict: Derry
Steven Poacher (Former Carlow coach and current Mayobridge manager)
“I think Donegal won’t play into Derry’s hands in the way Tyrone and Monaghan did. That was really surprising because Tyrone and Monaghan are two very experienced sides.
“I think the first half will be very cagey and it will be low scoring. I don’t think either team will give much away defensively.
“You’ll be looking at two defensive blocks from both teams and, when they are turned over, they’ll scramble very hard to get back behind the ball.
“I think the longer the game goes on, if it is tight, Donegal’s experience will probably get them over the line.
“Donegal will still be hurting from not winning the Ulster title in 2020 against Cavan. Last year, they were two points up with a penalty to go five up against Tyrone. They missed it, Michael Murphy gets sent off and Tyrone go on to win the All-Ireland.
“They seem to really have the bit between their teeth this year. I’m not saying there isn’t with Derry, but I feel Donegal have been there at that level over the last number of years.
“Derry were in Division Three last year and in Division Two last year and I think Donegal’s experience of playing at a higher level will stand to them.”
Verdict: Donegal
Paul McFlynn (Won the Anglo Celt with Derry in 1998)
“I do think Derry will win and it is not just my heart saying it, my head says it as well.
“I think the confidence in the squad, the way Rory (Gallagher) has them playing together and, I think psychologically, they are in such a good place.
“When you listen to what the players are saying before and after the game, it is all positive and they are talking about the bond of the team and how they are like brothers. That doesn’t happen overnight, that takes time.
“Donegal will be more prepared for what Derry are going to throw at them, I think Derry’s desire will be enough to see them over the line.
"I think it will be a real war of attrition and I could see Derry edging it on a scoreline of 0-14 to 0-12 or something similar.”
Verdict: Derry
Ryan McCluskey (Former Fermanagh star, turned Fermanagh coach)
“For me it’s Derry. I know the work they have done behind the scenes from the start of the year.
“I fully expect Donegal to play everyone behind the ball and hit Derry on the counter attack. If they do take a lead, I don’t expect them to attack with many numbers in case they are countered.
“Derry are too dynamic for me and I feel they are real contenders for the All-Ireland.
"The key battles will be who can kill/maintain momentum as both sides are very clever at stopping it. Derry should be baying for blood after missing a serious opportunity last season to knock Donegal out having squandered too many chances. Derry for me by 5+.
Verdict: Derry
Paddy Cunningham (Former Antrim forward)
“It will be tight enough. I think the Rory Gallagher factor will be interesting as well.
“I think it is set up to be a titanic battle. I think the knowledge that Rory Gallagher will have of the Donegal personnel and their strengths and weaknesses, that plays into Derry’s hands somewhat.
“I fully expect Donegal to learn from the mistakes that Tyrone and Monaghan made, especially regarding the start Derry had in both those games.
“I think Donegal will mirror Derry’s defensive shape in the first 10 or 15 minutes and I think it will be a game of chess for the first half.
“The belief that Derry have gained from winning the last two games - they’ll have no fear of playing Donegal on Sunday.
“Rory Gallagher is obviously an incredible tactician and I think he’ll have looked at the Cavan game and have picked out a few things which could have got Cavan over the line. I think that will help Derry edge it by two or three points.”
Verdict: Derry
Kieran Donnelly (Current Fermanagh manager)
“Donegal would be my call at the minute. I just feel that Monaghan and Tyrone were a bit naïve against Derry.
"I think Donegal will learn a fair bit from that and if there’s one team who are good at that, it is Donegal.
"I think that bit of experience they have in Ulster Finals will be key as well, but there won’t be much in it.
"The match-ups are fascinating - (Brendan) Rogers on (Michael) Murphy, (Chrissy) McKaigue and (Paddy) McBrearty.
"Both of those players are capable of marking Donegal’s key men, but I expect a big game from Murphy and I fancy Donegal to win it.”
Verdict: Donegal
Jody Gormley (Former Tyrone star)
“I fancy Derry to win. If they can impose their game plan on Donegal in the same way they did against Tyrone and Monaghan, I think they could be hard to stop.
“They’ve brought a lot of energy and knowhow under Rory Gallagher to the Championship this year.
“They’ve had a remarkable rise up through the divisions and they’ve been very consistent. They were unfortunate not to make the jump up to Division One this year. Gareth McKinless has been outstanding for them this year and they’ve a first-class defence.
“Brendan Rogers and Chrissy McKaigue are great man-markers and Shane McGuigan has been great up front. Benny Heron has also really stepped it up this year and they’ve a good bench.
“Having said that, you couldn’t write Donegal off - they’ve been there or thereabouts so often. I just think it is Derry’s time to win an Ulster title.”
Verdict: Derry
Kevin O’Boyle (Former Antrim defender)
“I’m really looking forward to this intriguing battle. I think it’s going to be a fascinating game of chess. Donegal are massively experienced in Ulster Finals and are comfortable playing this style of football so they will not fall into the same trap as Monaghan.
“Derry will not be afforded a fast start or they will not be allowed to get too far ahead as in the Monaghan game.
"I think we will see both oppositions aggressively press kick-outs for certain periods and then depending on the flow of the game they may concede kick-outs and set up.
“Even though Donegal’s bench is stronger and possesses a greater impact, I think there’s greater momentum and belief with Derry.
"Rory Gallagher will have Derry prepared for every eventuality. The longer Derry can stay in the game I think the hunger and momentum they have had so far will take them over the line.”
Verdict: Derry
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