THE Ulster Senior Football Championship final is to take place on August 1 after the Ulster Council confirmed dates and venues for the upcoming provincial competition.
Down and Donegal get the action under way with their preliminary round clash at Pairc Esler on Sunday, June 27, while the following weekend sees the first two quarter-finals - Monaghan facing Fermanagh at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones on Saturday, July 3 before Armagh host Antrim at the Athletic Grounds a day later.
Tyrone take on reigning champions Cavan in Omagh on Saturday, July 10 with Derry facing either Down or Donegal the following day.
Should Paddy Tally’s Mournemen win their preliminary round tie they will travel to Celtic Park, while MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey would host the clash between north west rivals Derry and Donegal should the Tir Chonaill prevail.
The first Ulster semi-final will be played on Saturday, July 17 with a 4pm throw-in, while the other last four encounter will be the next day, getting under way at 2pm. Venues have yet to be confirmed for those games.
The provincial decider will take place on Sunday, August 1.
Meanwhile, county minor and U20 teams have finally been given the green light to resume full contact training from Monday. Games in these cohorts will be permitted from June 7.
It is anticipated that in the coming days the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) will publish a schedule for both the completion of 2020 competitions – including outstanding Ulster Championship fixtures - and dates for 2021 inter-county competitions in both grades.
In the same note issued by the GAA yesterday, counties were reminded that adults' return to training in the 26 counties will also recommence on Monday.
Outdoor training is permitted in pods of a maximum of 15 people, including coaches, but games are not allowed while indoor facilities must remain closed (with the exception of toilet facilities).
From June 7, subject to public health advice, club games will be permitted at all levels but must be played "behind closed doors".
ULSTER SFC
Preliminary round
June 27 (Pairc Esler, 1.15pm): Down v Donegal
Quarter-finals
July 3 (Clones, 3.30pm): Monaghan v Fermanagh
July 4 (Athletic Grounds, 3.30pm): Armagh v Antrim
July 10 (Healy Park, 4.30pm): Tyrone v Cavan
July 11 (Celtic Park or MacCumhaill Park, 4pm): Derry v Down/Donegal
Semi-finals
July 17 (venue TBC, 4pm): Armagh/Antrim v Monaghan/Fermanagh
July 18 (venue TBC, 2pm): Tyrone/Cavan v Down/Donegal/Derry
Final
August 1 (venue TBC, 3.15pm)
