TYRONE will get the chance to exact a measure of revenge over Derry for their Ulster Championship defeat earlier this year after the Sperrin neighbours were drawn together in the 2023 Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup at Tuesday night’s launch in Cookstown.
Section B pits Derry manager Rory Gallagher against his native county Fermanagh and Tyrone, who the Oak Leafs famously dumped out of this year’s Ulster Championship when the Red Hands were still provincial and All-Ireland champions.
The reigning Ulster champions will be without the services of their Glen contingent for the opening two rounds at least, with the Maghera men preparing for an All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final against Moycullen of Galway on the weekend of January 7-8.
Tyrone could well have a number of new faces too with Trillick defender Rory Brennan the latest player to opt off the panel.
The draw was seeded in an attempt to keep apart teams from the same division of the Allianz Football League, where possible. However, that scenario was unavoidable in Section A where new Down manager Conor Laverty will lead his side against two Division One teams in Monaghan and Donegal.
Fresh from Ulster Club final defeat to Glen, the Kilcoo man will have an in-depth knowledge of many of Vinny Corey’s Farney panel, having helped coach the Monaghan team during Seamus McEnaney’s second spell with the county’s senior footballers.
His connections to Donegal are slightly more tenuous, although he was part of a high-profile management ticket which included former Tir Chonaill boss Jim McGuinness for the vacant Down job in late 2021 before James McCartan returned for a second spell.
Section C sees All-Ireland quarter-finalists Armagh face Antrim and Cavan. Given that their two opponents will compete in Division Three this year, the Orchard county will be favoured to advance and secure their first piece of silverware since their 2008 Ulster Championship win.
The three group winners will advance to the semi-finals along with the best runner-up.
GROUP A
Monaghan; Down; Donegal
GROUP B
Tyrone, Fermanagh; Derry
GROUP C
Armagh; Cavan; Antrim
SCHEDULE
Round one Wednesday, January 4
Round two Sunday, January 8
Round three Wednesday, January 11
Semi-finals Sunday, January 15
Final Sunday, January 22
