DONEGAL HAVE been given a tough draw in their bid to retain next year’s McKenna Cup after landing Ulster champions Tyrone in Monday’s draw.
It is a repeat of the 2010 final – and Donegal will have to travel to Omagh on Sunday 9 January. The other Section A teams UUJ and Fermanagh and UUJ meet the previous night.
History will also be made this year when the game between Cavan and Queen’s University on 8 January at Breffni Park will be the first inter-county Ulster fixture to be staged on a synthetic 3G pitch.
The final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 29 January.
In other opening weekend games Armagh face Antrim, Derry take on Monaghan and St Mary’s play Down.
The matches will be played under lights, with most having 7pm throw-ins. The Donegal v Fermanagh game on 19 January has an 8pm start.
Saturday 8 January
Section A
UUJ v Fermanagh (Brewster Park)
Section B
QUB v Cavan (Breffni Park 3G)
Section C
St Mary’s v Down (Pairc Esler)
Sunday 9 January
Section A
Tyrone v Donegal (Healy Park)
Section B
Derry v Monaghan (Celtic Park)
Section C
Armagh v Antrim (Athletic Grounds)
Saturday 15 January
Section B
Cavan v Derry (Breffni Park)
Section C
Down v Armagh (Pairc Esler)
Antrim v St Mary’s (Casement Park)
Sunday 16 January
Section A
Fermanagh v Tyrone (Brewster Park)
Donegal v UUJ (MacCumhaill Park)
Section B
Monaghan v Queen’s (Clones)
Wednesday 19 January
Section A
UUJ v Tyrone (Healy Park)
Donegal v Fermanagh (MacCumhaill Park)
Section B
Monaghan v Cavan (Inniskeen)
Derry v Queen’s (Celtic Park)
Section C
Antrim v Down (Casement Park)
Armagh v St Mary’s (Athletic Grounds)
22 & 23rd January – semi finals
Winner of Section C v Winner of Section B
Winner of Section A v fourth-placed team
