REPLAYS are back for this year’s Tyrone championships following a decision by the CCC to end its finish-on-the-day protocol, but only after the first round is completed.
Extra-time and penalties have been deployed for the last three seasons, with the 2020 senior final being decided by a spot-kick shoot-out as Dungannon won the O’Neill Cup for the first time in 64 years with a dramatic victory over Trillick.
The Red Hand series maintains its traditional straight knock-out format, one of just a few counties in Ireland to do so.
Details of the Connolly’s of Moy-sponsored championship proposed schedule have been released, with the senior and intermediate competitions set to begin on September 21 and the finals due to take place on October 28 (IFC) and 29 (SFC).
The junior series has an earlier start date of September 2, when a preliminary round will get the title race going, ahead of the first round a week later.
Defending senior champions Errigal Ciarán will face Killyclogher in the stand-out tie of the opening round, bidding to become the first club to retain the O’Neill Cup in almost two decades.
Carrickmore, beaten finalists last year, were the last team to win back-to-back titles in 2005.
Since then, eight different clubs have triumphed, and there have been seven different winners in the last seven seasons.
The 2022 runners-up Carrickmore will take on newly-promoted Edendork in their opening tie, while 2021 champions Dromore face another senior newcomer, Galbally, who reached last year’s All-Ireland Club IFC final.
Trillick face a tough opener against an emerging Loughmacrory side that has been going well in the league, while 2020 champions Dungannon Clarke’s have a local derby against Eglish, who have made their mark in returning to senior football with some notable league victories.
Coalisland’s clash with Greencastle, Omagh’s meeting with Ardboe and the Moortown v Donaghmore tie complete the quarter-final line-up.
Tyrone GAA TV will once again stream all championship matches live this year.
2023 TYRONE CHAMPIONSHIP DATES
Connolly’s of Moy JFC
Round one September 7-10
Quarter-finals September 15-17
Semi-finals October 7-8
Final October 22
Connolly’s of Moy SFC & IFC
Round one September 21-25
Quarter-finals September 29-October 1
Semi-finals October 14-15
Finals October 28 (intermediate); October 29 (senior)
NB: Replays from quarter-finals if required
