The north-west rivals will battle it out for the right to face Tyrone on June 30 in the last of the Ulster quarter-finals at MacCumhaill Park.

While there is never much between these sides, Donegal have home advantage and also have the benefit of a preliminary round victory over Cavan. They also beat Derry in last year's Ulster final, so they have a number of things in their favour.

For a team that were much improved in 2011, Derry have been a major disappointment so far this year. They only retained their Allianz League Division 2 status by their skin of their teeth and suffered an eight-point defeat to Westmeath in the last round after leading by seven just before half-time. Derry's performance against the Lake County was so inept that it prompted their veteran manager John Brennan to issue an apology to fans who had made the long trip to Mullingar.

Derry, however, are one of those counties who are able to produce a performance when it's least expected of them - remember the Armagh game last summer - and they will certainly need a big one if they're to dethrone the Ulster champions this weekend. Donegal expect to be in Croke Park again come August and have spared no effort in preparing for this year's championship assault.
They followed Dublin's lead by holding early-morning training sessions in January and recently held a week-long training camp at the Johnstown House Hotel in Co. Kildare.

They are unlikely to start Michael Murphy as he continues his recovery from a groin operation, while an ankle injury is threatening Rory Kavanagh's participation. But Neil McGee is expected to be available for selection after his recent injury layoff.

Derry will be without injured duo Cailean O'Boyle and Dermot McBride, while there are question marks over the fitness of Gerard O'Kane and Eoin Bradley. After missing last year's championship with a cruciate ligament injury, Paddy Bradley's return is a huge boost to the Oak Leafers, but he will need a lot more support than what he received in the Allianz League if we're to see an upset in this one.

Verdict: Donegal

Donegal - TBC

Derry - B Gillis; J McCamley, C McKaigue, SL McGoldrick; B McGoldrick, M Craig, E Scullion; J Diver, M Friel; G O'Kane, M Lynch, E Lynn; C Gilligan, P Bradley, E McGuckian.

Odds: Donegal 8/15, Draw 15/2, Derry 2/1

Match Details: Ulster SFC quarter-final, Ballybofey, Saturday 16 June, 5pm Tweet

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