Sean Cavanagh named in strong Dr McKenna Cup panel by six-in-a-row chasing Tyrone

Sean Cavanagh was sent off in his last outing for Tyrone, the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Mayo

Sean Cavanagh has been named in a strong Tyrone Dr McKenna Cup squad as Mickey Harte's charges chase a sixth straight triumph in the competition.

Cavanagh, 33, ended speculation over his future by committing to another Red Hands campaign in November.

The Tyrone squad includes Niall Morgan, Peter Harte, Mattie Donnelly, Tiernan McCann, Connor McAliskey, Colm Cavanagh and Cathal McCarron.

Harte will be minus a number of third-level players including Conall McCann.

Conall McCann, Kieran McGeary, Conor McShane and Conor Meyler will also be in action for St Mary's College in the season-opening Ulster competition.

But despite the absence of the St Mary's quartet, Harte's squad indicates the manager's continuing determination to win the McKenna Cup, in marked contrast to Section C rivals Donegal who have named an under-21 squad for this month's competition.

The Tyrone panel includes Omagh star Conor Clarke who missed all of the 2016 inter-county season because of injury.

Squad newcomers include Clonoe's Declan McClure, Greencastle's Cahir McCullagh, Aghyaran's Ronan McHugh and Cookstown's Ruairi Mullan.

Tyrone will begin their McKenna Cup campaign against Cavan during Sunday's opening round of fixtures.

Tyrone Dr McKenna Cup squad: Niall Morgan (Edendork), Mickey O'Neill (Edendork), Aidan McCrory (Errigal Ciaran), Lee Brennan (Trillick), Conor Clarke (Omagh), Tiernan McCann (Killyclogher), Peter Harte (Errigal Ciaran), Ronan O'Neill (Omagh), Niall Sludden (Dromore), Padraig McNulty (Dungannon), Padraig Hampsey (Coalisland), Darren McCurry (Edendork), Sean Cavanagh (Moy), Harry Loughran (Moy), Johnny Munroe (Carrickmore), Connor McAliskey (Clonoe), Mattie Donnelly (Trillick), Colm Cavanagh (Moy), Cathal McCarron (Dromore), Michael Cassidy (Ardboe), Declan McClure (Clonoe), Cahir McCullagh (Greencastle), Ronan McHugh (Aghyaran), Niall McKenna (Donaghmore), Ronan McNabb (Dromore), Ruairi Mullan (Cookstown).

2017 Dr McKenna Cup

Round 1: Sunday, 8 January, 14:00 GMT

Section A

Down v QUB (at RGU Downpatrick)

Derry v Armagh (Owenbeg)

Section B

Antrim v St Mary's (Glenavy)

Monaghan V Fermanagh (Clones)

Section C

Cavan v Tyrone (Kingspan Breffni Park)

Donegal v Ulster University (Pairc MacCumhaill)

Round 2: Saturday 14 January (19:00 GMT)

Tyrone v Ulster University (Healy Park)

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)

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