Donegal to start National League at the end of January

 
With the 2017 intercounty season just completed plans are already in place for next years campaigns.
Fixtures have yet to be finalised for the National Football League but Donegal Tyrone and Derry will be playing their first round games on the final weekend of January the 27th and 28th, with round two the following weekend the 3rd and 4th February.
Rounds three and four will be the 18th and 25th of February with the first two weekends in March marked for rounds five and six.
The 24th and 25th of March will see the seventh and final run of divisional games with the finals pencilled in for Saturday 31st March and Sunday the 1st of April.
With changes coming to the championship structure in 2018 it’s understood the first weekend in May will see the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship played, taking it forward a week from it’s usually start.
If the league is to commence at the end of January, the traditional start of the year Dr McKenna Cup could be up an running on Wednesday 3rd.
There is three Wednesday’s and three Sunday’s available to run off three group games, semi finals and a final before the league starts.
2018 National Football League dates.
Rd 1 – 27th/28th January
Rd 2 – 3rd/4th February
Rd 3 – 17th/18th February
Rd 4 – 24th/25th February
Rd 5 – 3rd/4th March
Rd 6 – 10th/11th March
Rd 7 – 24th/25th March
Final – 31st March/1st April