Tyrone handed tough McKenna Cup draw

Ulster SFC champions Tyrone were dealt a tough hand in last night's draw for the 2008 Gaelic Life-sponsored Dr McKenna Cup tournament.

The draw for the pre-season competition took place in the Armagh City Hotel and has put Mickey Harte's side in Group B, alongside Donegal, the team they beat in this year's final, Down and college outfit UUJ.

Tyrone player Ryan Mellon is looking forward to another successful campaign for the Red Hands in 2008.

Mellon was an intergral part of the St. Mary's College side which contested the 2007 McKenna Cup, a competition which sees two other teams from the Higher Education sector - UUJ and Queen's University - taking part.

"Having been involved with St Mary's, we would feel that the Dr McKenna Cup is excellent preparation for the Sigerson Cup, and allows University teams to pit themselves against inter-county standard players," Mellon said.

Many of the fixtures will take place under floodlights and Derry's captain this year, Kevin McGuckin, believes it gives an extra edge to the competition.

"Floodlighting has added a new dimension to our games and, fixtures allowing, we would look forward to hopefully playing Dr McKenna Cup ties under the new lights at Celtic Park.

"This would be a great occasion for the county of Derry and Derry city in particular," McGuckin added.

The initial stages of the competition will be run on a round-robin basis with three groups including four teams in each.

Beaten Ulster finalists Monaghan will clash with Antrim, Queen's University and Cavan in Group C, while Group A sees Derry and St Mary's, Belfast paired with Armagh and Fermanagh.

The Ulster Council's Competitions Control Committee (CCC) will meet this evening to fix the schedule of fixtures, venues and dates for competition, with an announcement expected later this week.

2008 GAELIC LIFE DR. MCKENNA CUP DRAW -

Group A - St. Mary's College, Belfast, Fermanagh, Armagh, Derry

Group B - UUJ, Tyrone, Down, Donegal

Group C - Queen's University, Belfast, Antrim, Cavan, Monaghan.

Semi-finals:

Group A Winners v Best Runners-Up (points difference across all groups)

Group B Winners v Group C Winners