This weekend sees the return of the Dr McKenna Cup after a one-year hiatus.

The Ulster pre-season football competition throws in on Friday evening when Armagh and Tyrone meet at the Box-It Athletic Grounds (7pm), with the two rivals set to meet again some three months later in the preliminary round of the Ulster senior football championship.

Saturday also sees a derby clash between old foes Cavan and Monaghan at Kingspan Breffni (6pm), where the home side’s new era under Dermot McCabe will officially get underway, while Sunday afternoon sees Donegal hosting neighbours Derry for their first outing of 2026.

The competition’s semi-finals are scheduled to take place on the evening of Wednesday, January 14th, with the final set to be played three days later ahead of the Allianz Leagues start the following weekend.

Friday, January 2nd

McKenna Cup Round 1
Armagh v Tyrone, Box-It Athletic Grounds, 7pm

Saturday, January 3rd

McKenna Cup Round 1
Cavan v Monaghan, Kingspan Breffni, 6pm

Sunday, January 4th

McKenna Cup Round 1
Donegal v Derry, Letterkenny, 1.30pm

Wednesday, January 7th

McKenna Cup Round 2
Down v Armagh, Pairc Esler, 7.30pm
Fermanagh v Cavan, Tempo, 7.30pm
Derry v Antrim, Owenbeg, 7.30pm

Sunday, January 11th

McKenna Cup Round 3
Tyrone v Down, Pomeroy, 1.30pm
Monaghan v Fermanagh, Castleblayney, 1.30pm
Antrim v Donegal, Cargin, 1,30pm

Semi-finals

Wednesday, January 14th at 7.30pm

Final

Saturday, January 17th at 5pm

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