This isn't the only big game involving Donegal today, as they also face Armagh in the opening round of the Ulster Ladies Senior Football Championship.

It's half-time and the score is Armagh 0-8 to Donegal's one point, as Aimee and Blaithin Mackin lead the scoring to put the Orchard County seven points in front.

Fine flowing move through the hands from Down and Odhran Murdock, who started the attack, finishes it.

This game has been all about possession so far as Michael Murphy is fouled by Ryan McEvoy.

This free is almost dead centre on the 45 metre line and Murphy will shoot off the ground for two points.

Murphy nails it, Donegal up and running after seven minutes.

Down win the ball from their own kick-out and launch their first attack.

Odhran Murdock's shot is short and gathered by Pearse McPolin who kicks Down's first wide.

Ronan Burns goes short with his first kick-out and it goes askew. Oisin Gallen is fouled by Callum Rogers and it's Michael Murphy who stands over the free from two-point range.

Murphy goes short and after a spell of controlled possession, Gallen lands the game's second wide.

Donegal pick up possession from the throw-in and the play ends with Ryan McHugh kicking the first wide of the game.

Roscommon referee Paddy Neilan throws the ball in and the final Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final is under way.

Armagh await the winners in the last four next Sunday.

The big news on the Donegal team is that Michael Langan doesn't start he's replaced by Ciaran Moore in one of three changes from the side which beat Kerry to win the Division One league title last month.

Finbarr Roarty replaces Max Campbell at wing-back - both men played in Wednesday night's defeat to Tyrone in the Ulster under 20 championship semi-final.

The other change comes at corner forward with Oisin Gallen taking the place of Shea Malone.

Down are also league champions, winning the Division Three title over extra-time against Wexford last month.

Conor Laverty makes three changes to that side including one huge surprise as Caolan Mooney - who just recently returned and had not been initially named on the 26 - starts and wears number five.

John McGeough takes the place of Tom Close at half forward with Pearse McPolin replacing Liam Kerr on the inside line.

Ruairi O'Hare is no longer on the Down subs with Ryan Magill taking his place on the bench.

Donegal: Gavin Mulreaney; Caolan McColgan, Brendan McCole, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Ryan McHugh, Finbarr Roarty; Jason McGee, Hugh McFadden; Shane O'Donnell, Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan; Conor O'Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen.

Subs: Shaun Patton, Stephen McMenamin, Mark Curran, Max Campbell, Sean Martin, Michael Langan, Shea Malone, Paul O'Hare, Eoin McHugh, Kieran Gallagher, Daire O Baoill.

Down: Ronan Burns; Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty, Callum Rogers; Caolan Mooney, Shane Annett, Daniel Guinness; Odhran Murdock, Ryan McEvoy; Miceal Rooney, Ceilum Doherty, John McGeough; Adam Crimmins, Pat Havern, Pearse McPolin.

Subs: John O'Hare, Patrick Brooks, Tom Close, Liam Kerr, Finn McElroy, Ryan Magill, Ross Carr, Eamon Brown, Jamie Doran, Ruairi McCormack, Barry O'Hagan.

Referee: Paddy Neillan (Roscommon)

The 2026 provincial football championships have not been short on drama.

In Connacht, Leitrim caused a stir with victory over Sligo to set up a semi-final against Galway, while last weekend in Leinster, Westmeath stunned Meath and Dublin just about survived a scare in Wicklow, so is it Ulster or Munster's turn this weekend?

Should All-Ireland champions Kerry fail to get past Clare in Ennis or Tipperary take down Cork in Thurles - both Saturday 14:00 BST throw-in - it may well be bigger than the previous week's upsets.

Likewise in Ulster, Armagh travel to Brewster Park on Saturday [17:30 BST] as hot favourites to reach the semi-final stage, while Donegal have the same tag for their quarter-final against Down in Letterkenny on Sunday [15:00 BST].

It's difficult to make a case for the underdogs, but as the previous weeks have shown, not impossible and can those shocks inspire this week's hopefuls?

Read more

Image source, Inpho

Faith Harper
BBC Sport NI at O'Donnell Park

There's a real Championship buzz here in Letterkenny.

I was chatting with a few Donegal fans who are feeling 'quietly confident' heading into this one.

However, it's a Down team that can't be underestimated. There's a lot on the line for the Mourne men, namely a spot in playing Sam Maguire football this summer.

This should be a good one!

A first provincial three in a row may be on offer for Donegal this year, but midfielder Hugh McFadden is not looking past the challenge of Down in Letterkenny this Sunday [15:00 BST].

Jim McGuinness' side came through epic Ulster finals against Armagh in both 2024 and 2025, and while many predict the pair will meet at the semi-final stage this year, McFadden insists he and his team-mates are not taking their eye off the ball.

The 32-year-old from Killybegs has been around the block enough times to know there are no givens in the Ulster Senior Football Championship and experienced as much in 2023 when Down won a quarter-final meeting between the pair.

Undoubtedly, both are better sides now than three years ago, and with that in mind, there is no looking past the challenge posed by Conor Laverty's side this week.

"There's a lot to fight for over the next few weeks," McFadden told BBC Sport NI.

"It would be great to have a home game to start the All-Ireland series [as reward for reaching the Ulster final], but our focus is on Down.

"We know the ins and outs of the Ulster Championship, and if you look too far ahead you'll get stung.

"Down comprehensively beat us in the first round of the Ulster Championship in 2023, so it will be a very competitive battle."

Image source, Inpho

Pulling on the red and black of Down was always an ambition for Danny Magill.

With his father, Miceal, an All-Ireland winner in 1994, football was in the blood and in the 2023 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final, Magill made his debut in the competition, scoring a point in the win over Donegal.

The 24-year-old won't play this Sunday when the teams meet in Letterkenny [15:00 BST]. A cruciate injury sustained in the first round of the Down SFC for Burren against Castlewellan has left him on the outside looking in throughout 2026 as he continues his recovery.

"I'm getting there, close," he says of his current status, but the desire to return to county colours mirrors his early ambitions as he seeks to get back on the pitch for Conor Laverty's side.

Read more

Image source, Inpho

Donegal's ladies are also in action this afternoon in the opening round of the LGFA Ulster Championship, but at half-time in the Athletic Grounds, it's Armagh leading 0-8 to 0-1.

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI at O'Donnell Park

There's grey skies overhead, but there's serious anticipation in the air around Letterkenny ahead of a sold-out Ulster Championship clash.

The pitch at O'Donnell Park looks immaculate as it hosts its first Ulster clash since 1951 when Donegal drew with Antrim before losing the replay to the eventual champions.

Down could potentially be playing to preserve their Sam Maguire status, while Donegal fans will be hoping it's the first step on the road to lifting the famous trophy for a first three-in-a-row in the county's history.

No rest for the wicked!

We are back with the last of the Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-finals for you today as Donegal welcome Down to Letterkenney.

With MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey closed for now, O'Donnell Park has the honour of hosting this afternoon's clash.

Donegal enter the game as favourites as they go after a first three-in-a-row provincial titles in the county's history, but face a Down side who have made strides in recent years and who know their place in the All-Ireland series may rest upon their ability to reach this year's Ulster final.

There is so much to play for and a cracking game awaits.

Armagh await the winner after their win over Fermanagh yesterday, so let's see who will face Kieran McGeeney's men.

Image source, Getty Images