By Michael McMullan

THE fixture details have been released for the opening round of the Donegal SFC which begins next weekend.

For the county players, it’s a case of getting back on the horse again after a long an 18-game season all the way to the All-Ireland final.

Reigning champions St Eunan’s are our first against Kilcar with Naomh Conaill’s trip to Glenswilly looking like the tie of the weekend.

Last year’s intermediate winners Termon, recently crowned Division One league champions, are in action first this weekend when they travel to Killybegs.

It’s a similar format in Donegal with all 16 teams playing four games.

The top four teams qualify directly for the quarter-finals as seeded teams, with the next eight playing in a preliminary round to see who joins them in the draw.

The bottom four them enter the relegation mire.

The games are as follows and correct at the time of writing. Please check the Donegal GAA site to clarify fixture details before travelling.

Round One
Saturday, August 9
5pm – Killybegs v Termon
7pm – Four Masters v St Naul’s
7.30pm – Glenswilly v Naomh Conaill
7.30pm – Downings v Dungloe

Sunday, August 10
2pm – St Michael’s v MacCumhaills
3pm – Gaoth Dobhair v Glenfin
4pm – St Eunan’s v Kilcar
4pm – Ardara v Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon

Round Two
Saturday, August 16
5pm – St Naul’s v Gaoth Dobhair
5.30pm – Dungloe v Killybegs
7.30pm – Naomh Conaill v Ardara

Sunday, August 17
2pm – Kilcar v Downings
2.30pm – MacCumhaills v Glenswilly
4pm – Termon v Four Masters

Sunday, August 31
3pm – Glenfin v St Michael’s
Teams listed first will play at home.

The draw for Round Three will follow the second round of fixtures with the final round not drawn out until the third round is complete.