By Michael McMullan

DONEGAL goalkeeper Shaun Patton will be back in contention ahead of Sunday week’s Ulster opener against Down on his home pitch in O’Donnell Park.

The St Eunan’s man had a troublesome ankle injury last season and hasn’t played since their championship exit at the hands of Termon.

After an operation, he missed the entire league with Donegal and now faces a battle with Gavin Mulreany for the number one jersey.

Speaking at Friday’s Donegal GAA breakfast in Letterkenny, manager Jim McGuinness confirmed Patton was back fit again.

The Donegal boss also said Ciarán Thompson’s recovery form the ACL injury in last year’s All-Ireland final is going well but the Down game will come too soon.

Daire Ó Baoill, Oisin Gallen and Ciarán Moore are also back in full training as the league champions begin the defence of their Ulster title.

Down were the last team to beat Donegal in the Ulster Championship, at Páirc Esler in 2023.

Busy week

It will potentially be a busy week for Finnbarr Roarty who captains the u-20 side.

They welcome reigning champions Tyrone to Convoy for Wednesday’s Ulster semi-final.

Roarty, Max Campbell and Kevin Muldoon – part of the senior panel – played against Derry in their last group game.

The fourth of Shane Callaghan’s points saw Donegal snatch victory in the final seconds.

Donegal topped the group, avoiding a quarter-final.

Tyrone needed a stoppage time goal from senior panelist Conor O’Neill to beat Derry in Wednesday’s quarter-final.

Roarty was central to Donegal’s march to the league title.

Campbell played in the final win over Kerry.

Conor McCahill is another u-20 player on the senior panel but is currently out injured.

Armagh face Monaghan in the other u-20 semi-final on Wednesday night.

The Orchard County topped their group with Monaghan needing a Max Maguire goal to help them see off Cavan on Wednesday night.