Donegal meet Cavan in opener

Donegal will begin their Ulster SFC title defence against Cavan in the preliminary round of the 2012 Championship, while Connacht champions Mayo have been handed a bye into the last-four out West.

Jimmy McGuinness's Donegal side will be required to win four games next summer if they are to claim back-to-back Ulster crowns for the first time in their history.

The winners of the Donegal-Cavan clash at Kingspan Breffni Park face an away tie against Derry in the quarter-finals.

The last-eight victors will meet either Armagh or Tyrone in the semi-finals, with Fermanagh facing 2010 beaten All-Ireland finalists Down and Monaghan taking on Antrim in the other quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, in the Connacht Championship, Mayo will face either London or Leitrim in a home game when they kick off their summer run.

Mayo were forced into extra-time in their opening assignment against the Exiles in 2011 before advancing to the All-Ireland semi-final where they lost to Kerry.

With a rotation system operating for counties to face their New York and London counterparts, it was predetermined that New York would host Sligo and that London would have home advantage against Leitrim.

Tonight's draw also ensured that Alan Mulholland's first Championship outing as Galway manager will be against Roscommon, who are looking for a new boss after Fergal O'Donnell's shock resignation.

The winners of New York v Sligo and Galway v Roscommon matches will meet in the semi-finals, with the other last-four encounter between Mayo and either London or Leitrim.

2012 ULSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW:

Preliminary Round - Cavan v Donegal

Quarter-Finals - Derry v Cavan/Donegal, Fermanagh v Down, Monaghan v Antrim, Armagh v Tyrone

Semi-Finals - Fermanagh/Down v Monaghan/Antrim, Armagh/Tyrone v Derry/Cavan/Donegal

2012 CONNACHT SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW:

Preliminary Round - New York/Sligo, London/Leitrim, Galway/Roscommon

Semi-finals - New York/Sligo v Galway/Roscommon, Mayo v London/Leitrim