Time to wrap up the live coverage for today. Both Donegal and Tyrone can take positives from the game although the Red Hands will have quite a long wait now before their opening qualifier. We're back on live text commentary street next Sunday for Cavan's game with Monaghan at Breffni Park. Have a good week.
Post update
Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"I always fancied Donegal but Tyrone brought intensity and quality to the game.
"Today's game had almost everything - not pretty football but everything else.
"Tyrone will go away from this with a lot of credibility."
Interview
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte: "We are very, very disappointed. We came here believing we could win it.
"The goal and point we conceded before half-time was crucial.
"We played with great passion today. We will challenge in the qualifiers and our season is far from over."
Post update
Tyrone have put up a stronger challenge than many pundits predicted but Donegal's little bit of composure and experience probably just swung the day.
This hard contest won't do Donegal's prospects any harm at all as they look forward to a game with Armagh on 14 June.
Tyrone have played well but it won't be easy to regroup as they face several weeks without a game before their opening qualifier.
Interview
Donegal boss Rory Gallagher: "Tyrone produced a massive performance but we were deserved victors.
"We played some great football, particularly in the first half, although we were hanging on a wee bit at the end.
"It was an absorbing game and a typical Ulster championship match."
Full-time: Donegal 1-13 1-10 Tyrone
After those two late scares, Donegal hold on to win by three.
Close!
Justin McMahon's high ball into the Donegal defence comes back off the crossbar but the home side are able to clear. One minute of injury-time left. Mattie Donnelly then fires a fierce shot just wide of Paul Durcan's left-hand post.
Donegal 1-13 1-10 Tyrone
Michael Murphy's free-taking looks to be deciding this match as the skipper points a long-range effort from 45 metres. One minute of normal time left.
Red card
Tyrone's man advantage lasts only two minutes as Sean Cavanagh is dismissed following a black card challenge. Yellow and black equals red in gaelic football.
Red card
It was on the cards and Donegal are reduced to 14 men as midfielder Neil Gallagher is sent off after a second booking following a tangle with Sean Cavanagh, who is cautioned. There are six minutes of normal time left.
Bad miss
Darren McCurry misses a Tyrone free.
Donegal 1-12 1-10 Tyrone
Murphy kicks a 21-metre free after Mickey O'Neill saves a Colm McFadden goal-effort with the advantage being played by Joe McQuillan for a jersey pull. Donegal two up.
Post update
BBCCopyright: BBC
Donegal 1-11 1-10 Tyrone
Michael Murphy has been quiet thus far but he bashes over a superb free from distance with just over 13 minutes of normal time ahead. Donegal ahead again.
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Eamonn McGurk: Tyrone certainly looking and playing like they believe they can win this!
Barry Tierney having a stormer in this half for Tyrone. Carrying loads of ball and is slippery enough to wriggle through a few tackles to find space. Tiernan McCann warming up and coming for Tyrone.
Yellow card
Karl Lacey becomes the sixth Donegal player to pick up a yellow card after a challenge on Sean Cavanagh.
Donegal 1-10 1-10 Tyrone
McAliskey is making a big impact in this game as he strokes over a superb levelling point. Getting rather interesting here.
Great save
Tyrone keeper Mickey O'Neill makes a brilliant point-blank to prevent a McBrearty goal with Frank McGlynn firing the rebound wide. Could be a big moment in the contest.
Donegal 1-10 1-09 Tyrone
Another McAliskey point cuts Donegal's lead to the minimum again.
Post update
BBCCopyright: BBC
Donegal 1-10 1-08 Tyrone
Frank McGlynn's charge upfield sets up Karl Lacey to chip over another Donegal point as he resists going for goal.
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
"Conor McAliskey is someone I rate very highly - he has scored three lovely scores in the second half."
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
"Justin McMahon is having a stormer - doing a fantastic job on Michael Murphy."
Donegal 1-09 1-08 Tyrone
Patrick McBrearty has been relatively subdued so far but he strokes Donegal ahead again in the 44th minute.
Substitution
Donegal boss Rory Gallagher makes the first change of the game with Mark McHugh introduced for Marty O'Reilly in the 39th minute.
Change coming for Tyrone too. Looks like it's going to be Padraig McNulty for the rookie Cathal McShane, who has struggled to make an impact today.
A Sean Cavanagh free immediately after the restart reduces Donegal's lead to the minimum.
No half-time changes
No Donegal changes at half-time says assistant boss Maxi Curran. Tyrone unchanged as well, reports BBC Sport's sideline man Thomas Kane.
Post update
Five Donegal men have been booked in the first half thought it's been hard to keep track of the yellow cards. Could those indiscretions be a factor later on?
Post update
Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"Donegal need to be a bit more direct in the second half.
"I expect Mickey Harte will be telling his team 'more of the same'."
No love lost
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
No surprise there was a bit of pushing and shoving as they made their way towards the tunnel at half-time with Tyrone assistant-manager Gavin Devlin right in the thick of it.
Donegal's Neil McGee, Eamon McGee and Paul Durcan were involved in some verbals with Devlin and Joe McMahon but no punches were thrown. The atmosphere turned nasty for a moment before order was restored.
And so, the half-time score is Donegal 1-8 Tyrone 1-6 and that is a lot higher than most people predicted.
Tyrone, written off coming into this game, have played with a lot of spirit but McElhinney's goal will have rocked them.
Can't wait for the second half to start.
Post update
Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"Tyrone are big-time up for this. They started poorly but but have got a foothold in the game.
"There is still a lot of fight and quality in this Tyrone team.
"It is not the most attractive game but it's intense and intriguing."
Handbags
Tempers flare as a few players exchange opinions as they make their way off the pitch at the break. A bit of pushing and shoving mainly, it appears. These two teams are fired up - as if we didn't know from the frenetic first-half proceedings.
Post update
Martin McHugh
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"It was a good enough game in the first half considering the conditions."
Donegal 1-08 1-06 Tyrone
Colm McFadden swings over another Donegal point from long range as the home side lead by two at the break.
Donegal goal
Donegal 1-08 1-06 Tyrone
You can't take your eyes off this game at the moment as Donegal regain the lead in first-half injury time as McElhinney fly-kicks the ball to the corner of the net after Mickey O'Neill has blocked Odhran MacNiallais's initial shot. Donegal lead 1-07 to 1-06.
Donegal 0-07 1-06 Tyrone
Suddenly Tyrone are ahead as Sean Cavanagh punishes another turnover in the Donegal defence and a superb Ronan McNamee points doubles the lead. Donegal starting to look rather ragged.
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
marie-clare: Feisty affair here! Bound to be at least one red card and a few black cards
Peter Galligan: Compelling game...hard to beat the intensity of Ulster football
After Toye is booked for a clothes-line challenge on Justin McMahon, Sean Cavanagh points the free and McCurry then levels proceedings.
Donegal 0-07 1-02 Tyrone
As the Ballybofey noise levels increase following a number of vigorous challenges, Christy Toye fists over a Donegal point when there is more than a sniff of a goal chance.
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
With all the possession Donegal had in the first 20 minutes they should be further ahead.
Donegal 0-6 1-02 Tyrone
But Sean Cavanagh's free gets Tyrone scoring again as there is only a point between the teams.
Post update
There is a bit of a scoring lull as McCurry misses a 40-metre free and Donegal's McElhinney pulls a shot wide at the other end.
Post update
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
Tyrone seem to be in a hurry when on the attack and are taking the wrong options and rushing their shots.
However defender Justin McMahon's point means he has outscored his direct opponent Michael Murphy. How long will that last?
Murphy has not been an influence on the game yet but that's surely bound to change.
Donegal 0-06 1-01 Tyrone
Peter Harte's forges a goal chance for himself only to see his shot superbly saved by Durcan but Justin McMahon clips the rebound over the bar.
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Colin: How can Donegal's 6 attackers be taking Tyrone's 14 defenders to the cleaners?
Tyrone forward Conor McAliskey is challenged by Neil McGee in the early stages at BallybofeyImage caption: Tyrone forward Conor McAliskey is challenged by Neil McGee in the early stages at Ballybofey
Donegal 0-06 1-00 Tyrone
Donegal regroup from the shock of McCurry's goal as Colm McFadden kicks a point with his weaker right foot and McElhinney then adds another.
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
The Donegal defence was asleep but what a lovely finish from Darren McCurry
Tyrone goal
Donegal look in total control after Martin McElhinney slots their fourth point but Tyrone hit back emphatically as a totally unmarked Darren McCurry fires to the net past Paul Durcan. Suddenly there's only a point between the teams.
Post update
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
Quite a contrasting start for the two number threes.
Neil McGee lets Tyrone's under-21 star Cathal McShane know that the step up to senior football is a big one by winning the first ball that came in to them, while at the other end, Paddy McBrearty skins Tyrone full-back Ronan McNamee for Donegal's second point.
Donegal 0-03 0-00 Tyrone
Christy Toye slots a third Donegal point after only five minutes. Tyrone's defensive left flank looking rather shaky.
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
"Donegal well on top here - Tyrone need a score."
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Ian McCann: Donegal off to a spot-on start there, could be the tale of the game
Donegal debutant Marty O'Reilly is booked for a heavy challenge after only three minutes.
Donegal 0-02 0-00 Tyrone
Patrick McBrearty doubles Donegal's lead as he runs down the same channel.
Donegal 0-01 0-00 Tyrone
Frank McGlynn kicks Donegal ahead inside the opening minute with a calm finish from a tight angle.
And we're off
The game throws in right on time with the rain still falling in Ballybofey.
Post update
InphoCopyright: Inpho
Post update
Martin McHugh
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"Tyrone need to win this and they really mean business. They are going to sit back and see how Donegal deal with it."
Post update
Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"It's like two juggernauts coming together - it whets the appetite for the summer ahead."
Post update
There are two late changes in the Tyrone team.
Mickey Harte has brought in two of the All-Ireland winning U21s to start - Cathal McShane replaces Padraig McNulty in midfield and Rory Brennan comes in for Tiernan McCann.
Is this a sign of attack from Harte? Brennan will pose much more of a scoring threat than the hard-working McCann.
AND....Colm McFadden IS starting for Donegal after all! He replaces his namesake Hugh McFadden.
What did we say earlier about late changes being commonplace.
Donegal minors win
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
The day has got off to a good start for Donegal, with the minors beating Tyrone 1-11 to 0-8 in the curtain-raiser.
After cloudy skies in Ballybofey all afternoon, the weather has turned decidedly nasty in the last few minutes.
Who will cope best with the wet, windy conditions?
It's raining
I'm afraid so folks. The 18,100 or so folks in at MacCumhaill Park better have their wet gear with them. It's grey, damp and rather miserable.
Team news
Rory Gallagher's Donegal line-up announced on Friday didn't include Colm McFadden although that comes with the inevitable health warning given that late changes are commonplace.
Sean Cavanagh is fit for Tyrone but injured keeper Niall Morgan is replaced by Mickey O'Neill.
Padraig McNulty will play his first championship game for Tyrone with Gallagher handing debuts to Hugh McFadden and Marty O'Reilly.
Donegal: P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; R McHugh, K Lacey, F McGlynn; N Gallagher, M McElhinney; M O'Reilly, O MacNiallais, C Toye; P McBrearty, M Murphy, H McFadden
Tyrone: M O'Neill, A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron, R McNabb, Justin McMahon, P Harte, C Cavanagh, P McNulty, T McCann, M Donnelly, B Tierney, D McCurry, S Cavanagh, C McAliskey
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Conall: think it will be a tight game as expected, but Tyrone will cause a shock
Brendan McCullagh: Tyrone to win by 3, Donegal will still do some damage in the qualifiers though, good team
K Doherty: very tight game in prospect, have a sneaky feeling for Tyrone to win, wouldn't rule out the draw
Welcome to our brave new world of GAA Championship live text commentary.
We had to come up with something different for this heavyweight Ulster Football Championship opener between provincial holders Donegal and Tyrone at MacCumhaill Park.
Hope the pre-match Ballybofey burgers have been safely digested as Tyrone seek to end a run of three Ulster defeats by Donegal.
Jim McGuinness was in charge of the Tir Conaill men during those games from 2011-13.
His former assistant Rory Gallagher is now at the Donegal helm.
What has the ever-wily and three-times All-Ireland winning Tyrone boss Mickey Harte up his sleeve to upset the strong home favourites?
Live Reporting
John Haughey
All times stated are UK


BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 


©INPHO/Cathal NoonanCopyright: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan 




InphoCopyright: Inpho Tyrone forward Conor McAliskey is challenged by Neil McGee in the early stages at BallybofeyImage caption: Tyrone forward Conor McAliskey is challenged by Neil McGee in the early stages at Ballybofey 


InphoCopyright: Inpho 


InphoCopyright: Inpho
Latest PostThat's all folks
Time to wrap up the live coverage for today. Both Donegal and Tyrone can take positives from the game although the Red Hands will have quite a long wait now before their opening qualifier. We're back on live text commentary street next Sunday for Cavan's game with Monaghan at Breffni Park. Have a good week.
Post update
Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"I always fancied Donegal but Tyrone brought intensity and quality to the game.
"Today's game had almost everything - not pretty football but everything else.
"Tyrone will go away from this with a lot of credibility."
Interview
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte: "We are very, very disappointed. We came here believing we could win it.
"The goal and point we conceded before half-time was crucial.
"We played with great passion today. We will challenge in the qualifiers and our season is far from over."
Post update
Tyrone have put up a stronger challenge than many pundits predicted but Donegal's little bit of composure and experience probably just swung the day.
This hard contest won't do Donegal's prospects any harm at all as they look forward to a game with Armagh on 14 June.
Tyrone have played well but it won't be easy to regroup as they face several weeks without a game before their opening qualifier.
Interview
Donegal boss Rory Gallagher: "Tyrone produced a massive performance but we were deserved victors.
"We played some great football, particularly in the first half, although we were hanging on a wee bit at the end.
"It was an absorbing game and a typical Ulster championship match."
Full-time: Donegal 1-13 1-10 Tyrone
After those two late scares, Donegal hold on to win by three.
Close!
Justin McMahon's high ball into the Donegal defence comes back off the crossbar but the home side are able to clear. One minute of injury-time left. Mattie Donnelly then fires a fierce shot just wide of Paul Durcan's left-hand post.
Donegal 1-13 1-10 Tyrone
Michael Murphy's free-taking looks to be deciding this match as the skipper points a long-range effort from 45 metres. One minute of normal time left.
Red card
Tyrone's man advantage lasts only two minutes as Sean Cavanagh is dismissed following a black card challenge. Yellow and black equals red in gaelic football.
Red card
It was on the cards and Donegal are reduced to 14 men as midfielder Neil Gallagher is sent off after a second booking following a tangle with Sean Cavanagh, who is cautioned. There are six minutes of normal time left.
Bad miss
Darren McCurry misses a Tyrone free.
Donegal 1-12 1-10 Tyrone
Murphy kicks a 21-metre free after Mickey O'Neill saves a Colm McFadden goal-effort with the advantage being played by Joe McQuillan for a jersey pull. Donegal two up.
Post update
Donegal 1-11 1-10 Tyrone
Michael Murphy has been quiet thus far but he bashes over a superb free from distance with just over 13 minutes of normal time ahead. Donegal ahead again.
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Eamonn McGurk: Tyrone certainly looking and playing like they believe they can win this!
You can get in touch at #bbcgaa or pop on to the BBC Championship Facebook page
Tremendous Tierney
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
Barry Tierney having a stormer in this half for Tyrone. Carrying loads of ball and is slippery enough to wriggle through a few tackles to find space. Tiernan McCann warming up and coming for Tyrone.
Yellow card
Karl Lacey becomes the sixth Donegal player to pick up a yellow card after a challenge on Sean Cavanagh.
Donegal 1-10 1-10 Tyrone
McAliskey is making a big impact in this game as he strokes over a superb levelling point. Getting rather interesting here.
Great save
Tyrone keeper Mickey O'Neill makes a brilliant point-blank to prevent a McBrearty goal with Frank McGlynn firing the rebound wide. Could be a big moment in the contest.
Donegal 1-10 1-09 Tyrone
Another McAliskey point cuts Donegal's lead to the minimum again.
Post update
Donegal 1-10 1-08 Tyrone
Frank McGlynn's charge upfield sets up Karl Lacey to chip over another Donegal point as he resists going for goal.
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
"Conor McAliskey is someone I rate very highly - he has scored three lovely scores in the second half."
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
"Justin McMahon is having a stormer - doing a fantastic job on Michael Murphy."
Donegal 1-09 1-08 Tyrone
Patrick McBrearty has been relatively subdued so far but he strokes Donegal ahead again in the 44th minute.
Substitution
Donegal boss Rory Gallagher makes the first change of the game with Mark McHugh introduced for Marty O'Reilly in the 39th minute.
Change coming for Tyrone too. Looks like it's going to be Padraig McNulty for the rookie Cathal McShane, who has struggled to make an impact today.
Donegal 1-08 1-08 Tyrone
Connor McAliskey's point levels proceedings.
Post update
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Ian McCann: Looks like both teams are suitably fired up for the second half, could Tyrone get back on top here?
Sean Quinn: Great game of football so far in ulster..both teams giving it their all and emotions running high at HT
You can get in touch at #bbcgaa or pop on to the BBC Championship Facebook page
Donegal 1-08 1-07 Tyrone
A Sean Cavanagh free immediately after the restart reduces Donegal's lead to the minimum.
No half-time changes
No Donegal changes at half-time says assistant boss Maxi Curran. Tyrone unchanged as well, reports BBC Sport's sideline man Thomas Kane.
Post update
Five Donegal men have been booked in the first half thought it's been hard to keep track of the yellow cards. Could those indiscretions be a factor later on?
Post update
Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"Donegal need to be a bit more direct in the second half.
"I expect Mickey Harte will be telling his team 'more of the same'."
No love lost
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
No surprise there was a bit of pushing and shoving as they made their way towards the tunnel at half-time with Tyrone assistant-manager Gavin Devlin right in the thick of it.
Donegal's Neil McGee, Eamon McGee and Paul Durcan were involved in some verbals with Devlin and Joe McMahon but no punches were thrown. The atmosphere turned nasty for a moment before order was restored.
And so, the half-time score is Donegal 1-8 Tyrone 1-6 and that is a lot higher than most people predicted.
Tyrone, written off coming into this game, have played with a lot of spirit but McElhinney's goal will have rocked them.
Can't wait for the second half to start.
Post update
Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"Tyrone are big-time up for this. They started poorly but but have got a foothold in the game.
"There is still a lot of fight and quality in this Tyrone team.
"It is not the most attractive game but it's intense and intriguing."
Handbags
Tempers flare as a few players exchange opinions as they make their way off the pitch at the break. A bit of pushing and shoving mainly, it appears. These two teams are fired up - as if we didn't know from the frenetic first-half proceedings.
Post update
Martin McHugh
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"It was a good enough game in the first half considering the conditions."
Donegal 1-08 1-06 Tyrone
Colm McFadden swings over another Donegal point from long range as the home side lead by two at the break.
Donegal goal
Donegal 1-08 1-06 Tyrone
You can't take your eyes off this game at the moment as Donegal regain the lead in first-half injury time as McElhinney fly-kicks the ball to the corner of the net after Mickey O'Neill has blocked Odhran MacNiallais's initial shot. Donegal lead 1-07 to 1-06.
Donegal 0-07 1-06 Tyrone
Suddenly Tyrone are ahead as Sean Cavanagh punishes another turnover in the Donegal defence and a superb Ronan McNamee points doubles the lead. Donegal starting to look rather ragged.
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
marie-clare: Feisty affair here! Bound to be at least one red card and a few black cards
Peter Galligan: Compelling game...hard to beat the intensity of Ulster football
You can get in touch at #bbcgaa or pop on to the BBC Championship Facebook page
Donegal 0-07 1-04 Tyrone
After Toye is booked for a clothes-line challenge on Justin McMahon, Sean Cavanagh points the free and McCurry then levels proceedings.
Donegal 0-07 1-02 Tyrone
As the Ballybofey noise levels increase following a number of vigorous challenges, Christy Toye fists over a Donegal point when there is more than a sniff of a goal chance.
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
With all the possession Donegal had in the first 20 minutes they should be further ahead.
Donegal 0-6 1-02 Tyrone
But Sean Cavanagh's free gets Tyrone scoring again as there is only a point between the teams.
Post update
There is a bit of a scoring lull as McCurry misses a 40-metre free and Donegal's McElhinney pulls a shot wide at the other end.
Post update
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
Tyrone seem to be in a hurry when on the attack and are taking the wrong options and rushing their shots.
However defender Justin McMahon's point means he has outscored his direct opponent Michael Murphy. How long will that last?
Murphy has not been an influence on the game yet but that's surely bound to change.
Donegal 0-06 1-01 Tyrone
Peter Harte's forges a goal chance for himself only to see his shot superbly saved by Durcan but Justin McMahon clips the rebound over the bar.
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Colin: How can Donegal's 6 attackers be taking Tyrone's 14 defenders to the cleaners?
You can get in touch at #bbcgaa or pop on to the BBC Championship Facebook page
Post update
Donegal 0-06 1-00 Tyrone
Donegal regroup from the shock of McCurry's goal as Colm McFadden kicks a point with his weaker right foot and McElhinney then adds another.
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
The Donegal defence was asleep but what a lovely finish from Darren McCurry
Tyrone goal
Donegal look in total control after Martin McElhinney slots their fourth point but Tyrone hit back emphatically as a totally unmarked Darren McCurry fires to the net past Paul Durcan. Suddenly there's only a point between the teams.
Post update
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
Quite a contrasting start for the two number threes.
Neil McGee lets Tyrone's under-21 star Cathal McShane know that the step up to senior football is a big one by winning the first ball that came in to them, while at the other end, Paddy McBrearty skins Tyrone full-back Ronan McNamee for Donegal's second point.
Donegal 0-03 0-00 Tyrone
Christy Toye slots a third Donegal point after only five minutes. Tyrone's defensive left flank looking rather shaky.
Post update
Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star
"Donegal well on top here - Tyrone need a score."
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Ian McCann: Donegal off to a spot-on start there, could be the tale of the game
You can get in touch at #bbcgaa or pop on to the BBC Championship Facebook page
Yellow card
Donegal debutant Marty O'Reilly is booked for a heavy challenge after only three minutes.
Donegal 0-02 0-00 Tyrone
Patrick McBrearty doubles Donegal's lead as he runs down the same channel.
Donegal 0-01 0-00 Tyrone
Frank McGlynn kicks Donegal ahead inside the opening minute with a calm finish from a tight angle.
And we're off
The game throws in right on time with the rain still falling in Ballybofey.
Post update
Post update
Martin McHugh
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"Tyrone need to win this and they really mean business. They are going to sit back and see how Donegal deal with it."
Post update
Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst
"It's like two juggernauts coming together - it whets the appetite for the summer ahead."
Post update
There are two late changes in the Tyrone team.
Mickey Harte has brought in two of the All-Ireland winning U21s to start - Cathal McShane replaces Padraig McNulty in midfield and Rory Brennan comes in for Tiernan McCann.
Is this a sign of attack from Harte? Brennan will pose much more of a scoring threat than the hard-working McCann.
AND....Colm McFadden IS starting for Donegal after all! He replaces his namesake Hugh McFadden.
What did we say earlier about late changes being commonplace.
Donegal minors win
Orla Bannon
BBC Sport NI
The day has got off to a good start for Donegal, with the minors beating Tyrone 1-11 to 0-8 in the curtain-raiser.
After cloudy skies in Ballybofey all afternoon, the weather has turned decidedly nasty in the last few minutes.
Who will cope best with the wet, windy conditions?
It's raining
I'm afraid so folks. The 18,100 or so folks in at MacCumhaill Park better have their wet gear with them. It's grey, damp and rather miserable.
Team news
Rory Gallagher's Donegal line-up announced on Friday didn't include Colm McFadden although that comes with the inevitable health warning given that late changes are commonplace.
Sean Cavanagh is fit for Tyrone but injured keeper Niall Morgan is replaced by Mickey O'Neill.
Padraig McNulty will play his first championship game for Tyrone with Gallagher handing debuts to Hugh McFadden and Marty O'Reilly.
Donegal: P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; R McHugh, K Lacey, F McGlynn; N Gallagher, M McElhinney; M O'Reilly, O MacNiallais, C Toye; P McBrearty, M Murphy, H McFadden
Tyrone: M O'Neill, A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron, R McNabb, Justin McMahon, P Harte, C Cavanagh, P McNulty, T McCann, M Donnelly, B Tierney, D McCurry, S Cavanagh, C McAliskey
Join the debate at #bbcgaa
Conall: think it will be a tight game as expected, but Tyrone will cause a shock
Brendan McCullagh: Tyrone to win by 3, Donegal will still do some damage in the qualifiers though, good team
K Doherty: very tight game in prospect, have a sneaky feeling for Tyrone to win, wouldn't rule out the draw
You can get in touch at #bbcgaa or pop on to the BBC Championship Facebook page
Post update
Let battle commence
Welcome to our brave new world of GAA Championship live text commentary.
We had to come up with something different for this heavyweight Ulster Football Championship opener between provincial holders Donegal and Tyrone at MacCumhaill Park.
Hope the pre-match Ballybofey burgers have been safely digested as Tyrone seek to end a run of three Ulster defeats by Donegal.
Jim McGuinness was in charge of the Tir Conaill men during those games from 2011-13.
His former assistant Rory Gallagher is now at the Donegal helm.
What has the ever-wily and three-times All-Ireland winning Tyrone boss Mickey Harte up his sleeve to upset the strong home favourites?
It's going to be fascinating.