Donegal and Fermanagh meet in the Ulster final for the first time, with Fermanagh also seeking to win the title for the first time.
Their previous Ulster final appearances were in 1914 (lost to Monaghan), 1935 (lost to Cavan), 1945 (lost to Cavan), 1982 (lost to Armagh) and 2008 (drew and lost replay to Armagh).
Picture: Odhran Mac Niallais in action against Fermanagh in the 2016 Ulster SFC game in Ballybofey.
PATHS TO THE FINAL
Donegal 2-20 Cavan 1-15
Donegal 2-16 Derry 0-16
Donegal 2-22 Down 1-12
Donegal’s Top Scorers
Paddy McBrearty 0-18 (0-6 frees)
Michael Murphy 0-13 (0-6 frees, 0-1 ‘45’)
Jamie Brennan 1-6
Fermanagh 0-12 Armagh 0-7
Fermanagh 1-8 Monaghan 0-10
Fermanagh’s Top Scorers
Seamus Quigley 0-9 (0-7 frees)
Eoin Donnelly 1-0
Ryan Jones 0-2
Aidan Breen 0-2
Tomas Corrigan 0-2
LAST FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP CLASHES
2016: Donegal 2-12 Fermanagh 0-11 (Ulster quarter-final)
2006: Donegal 0-11 Fermanagh 0-8 (All-Ireland qualifier – Round 4)
2004: Fermanagh 1-10 Donegal 0-12 aet (All-Ireland qualifier – Round 4)
2003: Fermanagh 0-10 Donegal 0-6 (Ulster quarter-final)
2001: Donegal 0-15 Fermanagh 1-6 (All-Ireland qualifiers)
Donegal are seeking to take the Ulster title for the ninth time, having previous won in 1972-74-83-90-92- 2011-2012-14.
The counties will both be in Division 2 of the Allianz League next year after Donegal were relegated from Division 1 and Fermanagh were promoted from Division 3 last March.
Donegal scored two goals against Fermanagh in their last championship clash two years ago but the previous five championship games between the counties produced only three goals.
There’s a marked contrast in the scoring and concession rates between the counties on their way to the Ulster final.
Donegal scored an average of 2-19 and conceded 0-16 in their wins over Cavan, Derry and Down while Fermanagh scored an average of 11.5 points and conceded 8.5 points against Armagh and Monaghan.
Donegal are in the Ulster final for the seventh time in eight seasons. They won in 2011-12-14 and lost in 2013-15-16.
The winners will advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals where their opponents in the first phase (July 14/15) will be Dublin or Laois.
