Donegal v Louth Live: Updates from Ballybofey as the Ulster champions look to advance to the quarter-finals against Louth

Donegal will look to make it to the quarter-finals in Croke Park with a home win against Leinster champions Louth. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

ULSTER champions Donegal may still be on course to better their result from last year, but they have had bumps along the way.

A home loss to Tyrone has forced them into the preliminary quarter-finals to earn their place in the last eight.

A late win against Mayo, thanks to Ciarán Moore, ensured a home tie at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey, but they will be cautious against Leinster champions Louth, who can produce a big performance on their day.

The Wee county salvaged their place in the knockout stages with a win against Munster finalists Clare, but losses against Ulster duo Down and Monaghan meant that they finished third.

The two sides met last year in the quarter-final stage at Croke Park, when Peadar Mogan and Oisin Gallen led a long list of players who shone for the green and gold as they won by eight points.

Louth were out of their depth last year but they have shown an improvement capped by a first Leinster title since 1957.

For build-up, live updates and analysis from MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey, as Donegal face Louth for a place in the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, follow our live blog.

Click here to read article