Ulster race opens up

This year's Ulster championship became a little more unpredictable after the weekend results.
Derry are most people's favourites and given their convincing win over Donegal today to qualify for the National Football League final against Kerry they have enhanced their reputation, scoring a big psychological victory over their first round opponents in Ulster in the process.
Derry have looked strong this season and have improved since their defence was taken to the cleaners by Galway.
They are still heavily dependent on Paddy Bradley however, and although others have stepped up to the plate on occasion I think that Kerry will show yet again that the Glenullin man's colleagues are not quite up to it against the best defenders.
They might still be good enough to go all the way in Ulster however.
Donegal will be licking their wounds after today's defeat hwever and will now be totally focussed on facing the Oak Leaf men in the championship.
Their big problem is up front as well and they have lacked the fire power to trouble the top sides.
Their football is usually too predictable but as they proved two years ago against Tyrone they are capable of causing an upset on the day.
Armagh and Tyrone have run into a little bit of form of late.
Tyrone have welcomed back Brian McGuigan and they still have some very fine footballers in the shape of Sean Cavanagh, Ryan McMenamin and an attack oriented half back line but their forwards no longer strike fear into the heart of the opposition.
They should be too good for Down at Omagh in their opening game in Ulster and if they get a run they could be hard to beat.
Armagh will take a lot out of their game with Dublin and if their key players stay injury free no one will enjoy a day out against them.
The only other serious contender in the province are Monaghan.
If they can win their last league game against Westmeath then they will have another crack at the Dubs in the Division's decider.
Monaghan are going to hold their own against anyone in the province but don't have it on their bench if they need to change their game plan.
They are fast, fit and strong and Finley and Freeman are excellent forwards. They will be a real handful and are one of the genuine contenders in the province.
As for Down, Antrim, Cavan and Fermanagh, better luck next year!