DONEGAL CONFIRM VENUE FOR ULSTER SFC CLASH AGAINST DOWN

Donegal GAA has officially confirmed that their Ulster SFC opener with Down will take place at O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny.

Tir Chonaill county boss Jim McGuinness had expressed the hope that the game against the Mourne County, the last of the provincial football quarter-finals could yet take place at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey.

However, redevelopment work is being carried out on that venue, including a relaying of the pitch, and it won’t be ready in time for the back-to-back Ulster champions to begin the defence of their crown on Sunday April 26.

The confirmed venue will almost halve the allowed attendance for the visit of Down, who are flying high at the top of Division Three.

Ballybofey can hold up to 18,000, although usually that is capped lower for health & safety reasons.

Around 9,000 spectators were in Letterkenny for Donegal’s Division One game against Mayo and it is not though the capacity for a Championship clash will be significantly higher than that.

While O’Donnell Park played to Donegal’s NFL Division One win over Mayo, Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon was the setting for both a win over Kerry and the drawn clash with Galway last time out.

Donegal GAA’s statement read: ‘CLG Dhún na nGall wish to confirm that our county executive have notified Ulster GAA that our nominated venue for our senior football championship Quarter-Final v Down GAA is O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny.

‘Our primary ground, MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey has been undergoing improvement works, which include a new pitch surface. And while works are on schedule, the venue is not yet available.

‘We wish CLG Sean MacCumhaills well with the completion of same. Our thanks to St Eunan’s GAA for their hospitality and we look forward to another exciting Ulster Senior Football Championship.’

2026-03-11T19:23:28Z