Ulster SFC 2024: All you need to know about this year's championship
- Published
The quarter-final meeting of Derry and Donegal on 20 April will see Jim McGuinness and Mickey Harte face each other in the championship for the first time since McGuinness led Donegal to a last-eight win over Harte's Tyrone in 2013
2024 Ulster Championship preliminary round - Monaghan v Cavan |
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Venue: St Tiernach's Park, Clones Date: Sunday, 7 April Throw-in: 16:00 BST |
Coverage: Watch on BBC Two NI & BBC iPlayer; live text commentary with in-game clips, report and highlights on the BBC Sport website |
With the breathless nature of the inter-county season these days, we find ourselves on the cusp of another Ulster Championship just days after an enthralling conclusion to the National League.
The Ulster Championship is perennially regarded as the most fiercely competitive provincial competition. This year should - for the most part - be no different.
From Mickey Harte attempting to lead Derry to a hat-trick of Ulster titles to Jim McGuinness overseeing Donegal in championship action for the first time since 2014, there are plenty of sub-plots to ensure a gripping road to the final on 12 May.
Here, BBC Sport looks at everything you need to know about the 2024 Ulster SFC.
When are the games?
The championship begins on Sunday with the preliminary round contest between Monaghan and Cavan at St Tiernach's Park, Clones.
Then it's into the quarter-finals. On Saturday, 13 April, Down take on Antrim in Newry before Fermanagh host Armagh in Enniskillen the following day.
On 20 April, Derry face Donegal at Celtic Park in a hotly-anticipated clash that pits Harte and McGuinness against one another in the championship for the first time since 2013. On 21 April, Tyrone host the winners of this weekend's Monaghan v Cavan game.
The semi-finals will take place on the weekend of 27/28 April with the final on 12 May.
ULSTER SFC FIXTURES (times BST) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preliminary round - 7 April | Monaghan | v | Cavan (watch live on BBC) | Clones, 16:00 |
Quarter-final - 13 April | Down | v | Antrim (watch live on BBC) | Pairc Esler, 18:00 |
Quarter-final - 14 April | Fermanagh | v | Armagh (watch live on BBC) | Brewster Park, 14:00 |
Quarter-final - 20 April | Derry | v | Donegal (watch live on BBC) | Celtic Park, 18:15 |
Quarter-final - 21 April | Tyrone | v | Monaghan/Cavan (watch live on BBC) | TBC |
Semi-final - 27 April | Down/Antrim | v | Fermanagh/Armagh | TBC |
Semi-final - 28 April | Derry/Donegal | v | Monaghan/Cavan/Tyrone (watch live on BBC) | TBC |
Final - 12 May | TBC | v | TBC (watch live on BBC) | TBC |
How can I watch?
You can watch seven Ulster Championship matches live on the BBC this year. Every BBC match will be available to watch on BBC Two Northern Ireland, the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website,
The BBC Sport website will also have live text commentaries, as well as reports, highlights, analysis, reaction and in-play clips, while you can also stay up to date across the BBC Sport NI social media accounts.
For Sunday's opener between Monaghan and Cavan at Clones, there will be expert insight and analysis from Donegal legend Michael Murphy, Dublin great Philly McMahon, former Monaghan star Paul Finlay, recently-retired Monaghan stalwart Kieran Hughes and former Cavan forward Seanie Johnston.
Sarah Mulkerrins will present the programme, with Thomas Niblock on commentary and Mark Sidebottom providing pitchside updates.
What happened last year?
In 2023, Derry beat Fermanagh, Monaghan and Armagh to successfully defend the Anglo-Celt Cup.
The final was an unforgettable occasion with the Oak Leafers beating the Orchard men 3-1 on penalties after a captivating game ended 1-15 to 0-18 after extra-time.
Watch: Derry win historic Ulster final on penalties
Who are the favourites?
Derry are heavily fancied to retain their Ulster crown and become the first team since Armagh in 2006 to complete a hat-trick of wins in the competition.
After last year's triumph over Armagh, Derry reached the All-Ireland semi-finals under Ciaran Meenagh. But having fallen to Galway in 2022, they were edged out by Kerry.
Now, buoyed by winning a first National League title since 2008 and with three-time All-Ireland winner Harte at the helm, Derry are determined to go even further as they bid to end a 31-year wait to get their hands back on the Sam Maguire.
While Armagh lost last weekend's Division Two final to Donegal, Kieran McGeeney's men will be back in the final if they beat Fermanagh in the quarter-final and either Down or Antrim in the semi-final.
McGuinness and Harte got an early look at one another's sides during Derry's rain-lashed Dr McKenna Cup final win over Donegal in January
Donegal also cannot be discounted. After an unbeaten league campaign, McGuinness will face his biggest test since returning to the Donegal hotseat when his side travel up to Celtic Park.
Tyrone and Monaghan have often saved their best stuff for the championship over the years. Tyrone had a mixed Division One campaign, but then again, in 2021 they signed off their league campaign with a crushing six-goal defeat by Kerry, but still went on to win Ulster and All-Ireland titles.
And while Monaghan are coming off relegation from Division One, they were All-Ireland semi-finalists last year, so underestimating Vinny Corey's side would be perilous, especially if Rory Beggan returns.
What happens after the Ulster Championship?
The Ulster Championship finalists are guaranteed a spot in the All-Ireland round-robin stages.
The 16 teams in the All-Ireland group stages are made up of:
The four provincial champions
The four beaten provincial finalists
The 2023 Tailteann Cup winners (Meath)
The seven next-ranked teams based on their final position in the 2024 Allianz League
As it stands currently, Derry, Tyrone and Donegal are the Ulster teams guaranteed a spot in the All-Ireland group stages.
After the All-Ireland round-robin phase, there will be preliminary quarter-finals, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the Croke Park showpiece on 28 July.