Derry the first big test for Jim McGuinness the innovator in second coming as Donegal boss

In a week where GAA president Jarlath Burns hinted that September All-Ireland finals could return, the upcoming clash of Derry-Donegal in the Ulster SFC quarter-final would certainly befit a high-summer spot in the calendar en route to the finale, amid an autumnal air.

The meeting is of the Division 1 and 2 champions, with Mickey Harte and Jim McGuinness again locking horns in championship combat.

It's ten years since McGuinness last faced Derry in Ulster; Donegal edging the Celtic Park encounter by a goal. Close to 16,000 were in attendance to see Leo McLoone raise a vital green flag. McGuinness' side would go on to regain Ulster and then orchestrate an ambush of Dublin that propelled them to an All-Ireland final appearance. In a dour decider, Kerry scraped home as Donegal were unable to conjure up another gameplan that would have gone down in the annals.

A few weeks later McGuinness stepped down as manager. The announcement came late on a Friday night. After the loss to Kerry it was expected that the Glenties man would walk away. Jimmy certainly won more than a few matches: three Ulsters and an All-Ireland in four years speaks for the impact he made.

Prior to that he guided the county Under-21 side to provincial glory. Success, however, came with the perception of 'defensive football' and bodies behind the ball, rightly or wrongly, being attached to McGuinness’ strategy. Not that McGuinness gave a toss.

After he moved on, Donegal remained competitive. A couple of Ulster titles were won but it's now a decade since the county took down a big gun on the championship stage.

McGuinness moved into soccer coaching with Beijing Guoan and Charlotte Independence. He signed a three-year contract with the latter but one win in 14