First round: Antrim v Donegal

Casement Park, 3.30. For whatever reason Donegal tend to struggle against Antrim and although that hasn't yielded any success for Antrim over the past 16 years, it gives them a certain confidence to set with the advantage of playing at home. Overall though, the visitors' form is good and has made them title contenders. Donegal: P Callaghan; N McGinley, R Sweeney, M Crossan; B McGowan, M Coll, D Diver; N Hegarty, J McGuinness; S Carr, A Sweeney, J Gildea; B Roper, T Boyle, B Devenney.

Antrim: D Shannon; M Mulholland, E McCorry, A Finnegan; G Adams, T McCrudden, T Swail; J Murphy, C O'Neill; J Quinn, P McErlean, J McManus; K Brady, T Wilson, K Madden.

Team News: Compared to the championship meeting of 12 months ago, there have been an astonishing litany of changes to both teams. Donegal have only five of last year's side, whereas Antrim have only three. Donegal have three significant injuries: JJ Doherty, John Duffy and James Ruane all miss out and there are five championship debutants in the team. Antrim bring in six newcomers and are at full strength.

Key Confrontation: Tony Boyle's League form was phenomenal and Donegal relied heavily on his scoring and play-making input. Tomorrow he will be marked by championship debutant Emmet McCorry. If the Donegal man cuts loose, any faint chances of a surprise are out the window.

View From The Camps: "Our big problem has been keeping the goals out, but what really gets me is people saying, `Antrim has no heart'. Anyone who plays for me will give it everything."

- Ray McDonnell (Antrim manager).

"We've always struggled to put them away. Even in 1993 when we were All-Ireland champions. I've played them three times and last year we were lucky that Antrim didn't beat us."

- Declan Bonner (Donegal manager).

Verdict: Donegal.