Cavan have included four championship newcomers in their line up for today with Bryan Magee, Oisin Kiernan, Conor Bradley and Enda Flanagan joining the more experienced Cian Mackey and Gearoid McKiernan in attack.

In a late change to the team that had been listed to start, Killian Brady replaces Martin Reilly at right half-back.

Influential forward Dara McVeety is named among the Breffni substitutes but he is thought to be an injury doubt after tearing his hamstring in the Division Two final loss to Roscommon.

Donegal kept their selection under wraps until just a few hours before throw-in but here it is.

The main talking point is the absence of Odhran MacNiallais, Paddy McGrath or Martin O'Reilly from matdh day squad.

Goalkeeper Shaun Patton is the only new face after snubbing a professional contract with League of Ireland club Sligo Rovers to take his place between the posts today.

Paul Brennan and Michael Lanigan have limited championship experience with Donegal but they have played before.

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI

Monaghan have beaten Donegal in the opening game at Ballybofey.

The Farney County won their Ulster Minor Football Championship match by 1-12 to 1-10.

Remember, you will be able to watch the game in full later this evening at BBC Two NI.

Image source, BBC Sport

Donegal manager Declan Bonner is promising his team will continue to play 'adventurous football' as they prepare to host Cavan.

Under Bonner, Donegal began the year by beating Tyrone in the McKenna Cup final but their league campaign ended in disappointment after a final day demotion to Division Two.

"I think you'll see an adventurous Donegal team," said Bonner. "That's the way we've set out or stall and yes we have to tighten up certain aspects, there's no doubt about that, but we'll definitely be playing on the front foot."

Cavan manager Mattie McGleenan has no concerns about having to face Donegal in Ballybofey in the opening game of the Ulster championship.

Donegal have not lost a game at MacCumhaill Park since 2010 and will hope to extend that record today.

"Why do you play gaelic football?" said McGleenan.

"You want to play in days like this and in games like this so there's no excuses. If anybody thinks they're in the wrong place then they're better off staying home."

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at MacCumhaill Park

There is a distinct whiff of burgers and burnt onions in the Ballybofey air...yes we have arrived at Ulster Championship time.

And what an intriguing preliminary-round tie the draw has given us - a Donegal team unluckily relegated to Division Two in the spring against a side Cavan moving in the opposite direction after a superb, and unexpected, league campaign.

After a bright morning in Ballybofey, a few ominous clouds have started to hover over MacCumhaill Park but we could still have a further four changes of weather in the half hour before the throw-in.

Let battle commence.

Welcome to our live text commentary of the opening game of the 2018 Ulster Championship as Donegal play Cavan at MacCumhaill Park.

The two teams had contrasting fortunes during the league as Donegal slipped down to Division Two following a dramatic draw with Mayo in the final round but Cavan secured promotion back to Division One at the first attempt.

The Breffni men lost the Division Two final to Roscommon but will be hoping to build on an impressive start to the year with their first championship success against Donegal since the 2005 qualifiers.