McKenna Cup: Red Hands to start defence against Cavan

Tyrone forward Ronan O'Neill is tackled by Cavan's Fergal Flanagan in this year's Ulster SFC semi-final replay

Tyrone will begin their bid for a sixth straight McKenna Cup success against Cavan at Breffni Park on 8 January.

The Red Hands defeated Cavan in this year's Division Two final and an Ulster SFC semi-final replay.

The other Section C encounter sees Donegal host Ulster University while it's Down v Queen's and Derry v Armagh in Section A.

Corrigan Park will stage Antrim's opener against St Mary's with Monaghan v Fermanagh also in Section B.

2017 Dr McKenna Cup

Round 1: Sunday, 8 January

Section A

Down v QUB (at RGU Downpatrick)

Derry v Armagh (Owenbeg)

Section B

Antrim v St Mary's (Corrigan Park)

Monaghan V Fermanagh (Clones)

Section C

Cavan v Tyrone (Kingspan Breffni Park)

Donegal v Ulster University (Pairc MacCumhaill)

Round 2: Sunday, 15 January

Section A

Down v Derry (Pairc Esler)

Armagh V QUB (Athletic Grounds)

Section B

Antrim v Monaghan (Corrigan Park)

Fermanagh v St Mary's (Brewster Park)

Section C

Donegal v Cavan (Pairc MacCumhaill)

Tyrone v Ulster University (Healy Park)

Round 3: Wednesday, 18 January

Section A

Derry v QUB (Owenbeg)

Armagh v Down (Athletic Grounds)

Section B

Fermanagh v Antrim (Brewster Park)

Monaghan v St Mary's (Inniskeen)

Section C

Cavan v Ulster University (Kingspan Breffni Park)

Tyrone v Donegal (Healy Park)

Semi-finals: Sunday, 22 January

Section C Winner V Best Runner Up

Section B Winner V Section A Winner

Final: Saturday, 28 January