Peter Canavan captained Tyrone to this year's All-Ireland football title

All-Ireland football kingpins Tyrone will open the defence of their titles with a clash against Derry in the preliminary round of next year's Ulster Championship.

The draws were staged yesterday in Perth where the majority of the GAA's top officials are currently with the International Rules tour taking place.

The Ulster preliminary round clash will take place on 9 May.

The bitter rivals clashed in this year's Ulster Championship when Tyrone needed a replay to overcome the Oak Leafers.

This year's beaten Ulster finalists Down will meet Cavan in the first round on 16 May.

A week later, last season's All-Ireland champions Armagh will take on Monaghan, who shocked them in this year's Ulster preliminary round.

Donegal will open their Ulster challenge with a clash against Antrim on 30 May.

The remaining first round tie will see either Tyrone or Derry taking on Fermanagh.

Derry could have taken us when we played them the first day this year Tyrone boss Mickey Harte

In the first semi-final, Down or Cavan will face either Armagh or Monaghan.

Tyrone boss Mickey Harte was in philosophical mood despite being handed a preliminary round tie.

No team involved in a preliminary round tie in Ulster has ever gone on to win the provincial title.

"I wouldn't be perturbed by that statistic," said Harte.

"Before this year, Tyrone had never won an All-Ireland so those statistics are there to be ended".

Harte, however, acknowledged that Derry would present his team with a stiff challenge.

"Everything is possible in Ulster football and we know that Derry could have taken us when we played them the first day this year".

Ulster SFC:
9 May Tyrone V Derry
16 May Down V Cavan
23 May Armagh V Monaghan
30 May Donegal V Antrim
6 June Tyrone/ Derry V Fermanagh
13 June Down/Cavan V Armagh/Monaghan
20 June Donegal/Antrim V Tyrone/Derry/Fermanagh

Leinster SFC
1st round
Offaly v Westmeath
Wexford V Louth
Carlow V Longford
Quarter-finals
Dublin v Offaly/Westmeath
Kildare v Louth/Wexford
Laois v Carlow/Longford
Meath v Wicklow

Munster SFC
Tipperary v Limerick
Clare v Kerry
Semi-finals
Waterford v Tipperary/Limerick
Cork V Clare/Kerry

Connacht SFC
Mayo v New York
Galway v London
Sligo v Roscommon
Semi-finals:
Leitrim v Sligo/Roscommon
Galway/London v Mayo/New York

Leinster SHC
Carlow v Laois
Winners play Meath (Match A)
Westmeath v Wicklow
Winners play Kildare (match B)
Quarter-Finals:
Dublin v Match B
Offaly v Match A
Semi-finals
Winners of two quarter-finals play first semi
Wexford v Kilkenny

Ulster SHC
Derry v London
Semi-finals:
Antrim v Derry/London
Down v New York
6 June final