McCartan opens latest spell as director of Down with trip to Ballybofey

By Michael McMullan

JAMES McCartan’s first game in his last stint as Down’s manager will be a trip to Ballybofey to face Donegal next week.

The Dr McKenna Cup returns in the new year, with Armagh welcoming Cavan in the first game on Thursday, January 6.

Each country will have one home game and one away game, with the teams that finish first in their section advancing to the semi-finals, alongside the best-placed finalist.

The semi-final draw will be held after the third round has been completed and repeat pairings will be avoided.

Section A: Donegal, Down and Antrim
Section B: Tyrone, Armagh and Cavan
Section C: Monaghan, Derry and Fermanagh

Round 1 (every 8.15)
Thursday January 6
Armagh V Cavan at the athletics field
friday january 7
Donegal V Down at Pairc MacCumhaill
Derry V Monaghan in Owenbeg

Round 2 Tuesday January 11 (8.15)
Down V Antrim to Páirc Esler, Cavan V Tyrone to Kingspan Breffni, Monaghan V Fermanagh to Castleblayney

Tour 3 – Saturday January 15th 15 (1h30)
Antrim V Donegal to Corrigan Park, Tyrone V Armagh to O’Neills Healy Park, Fermanag hV Derry to Roslea

Semi-finals: Tuesday January 18

Final: Saturday January 22

Competition format

• All nine counties of Ulster will participate in the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup 2022.
• Each county will have a home game and an away game.
• The counties which finish at the top of their section will advance to the semi-finals, alongside the best placed finalist.
• The draw for the semi-final will take place after the end of the third round. Repeated pairings will be avoided.
• The venues for the semi-finals and the final will be determined by Comhairle Uladh CCC.