AS RORY GALLAGHER anxiously watched the 2016 Championship draw on RTÉ 2 last night, the Donegal manager’s nerves will have eased somewhat with the schedule his team has been handed.
Although the path to a sixth Ulster final in a row includes a possible semi-final meeting with Monaghan, Gallagher and Donegal are probably as happy as they could be with their lot at this stage.
Donegal will meet the winners of the preliminary round tie between Gallagher’s native county, Fermanagh, and Antrim in the fourth of the quarter-finals.
“First of all, we’re happy not to be in the preliminary round,” Gallagher told Donegal Sport Hub.
“We’re also happy to have the latest start possible. Looking at the calendar, we’re probably looking at having our first Championship game on June 12th I’d imagine.
“That’s nearly a month later than we started this year. That’s no harm as it gives us a good break between the League and Championship to really home in on.
“We have a few older men in the squad, too, who would be hoping to get started later so that means we can allow them ample time now.”
Four-time All-Star Karl Lacey has indicated that he would like a break early in 2016 to ready himself for the Championship.
Donegal are permitted to return to collective training on December 1.
“If the body is able to do it, I’ll do it,” Gallagher said.
“I’ll be back at it. Once you get the draw and know who you’re playing, you can start planning again.”
McGee was non-committal, but the Gaoth Dobhair man appeared to be angling back towards giving it another go.
“I want to play for Donegal and continue winning,” he said.
“But I’m studying part time, I’m busy in work and there are other factors to take into account.
“Going back to play and train at county level is a massive commitment. I will have a long thing about it and ask: ‘Am I able to give the commitment?’ There’s no point in just going up and being a member of the Donegal panel.”
If Fermanagh defeat Antrim in the preliminary round, Donegal will have home advantage in the quarter-final.
On 2014 form, Fermanagh will be fancied to advance and it would set Ballybofey up to host an 11th Ulster SFC game in 12 summers. Sean MacCumhaill Park has hosted 21 Championship games, between Ulster SFC and All-Ireland qualifiers, since 1999.
Were Antrim to emerge victorious, Donegal still wouldn’t have to go to the home of the opposition given that Casement Park is out of commission.
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