Joe Kernan's absentees include his Crossmaglen contingent

The Crossmaglen contingent are unavailable while other absentees included injured trio Ronan Clarke, Brian Mallon and Ciaran McKeever.

Fermanagh and Monaghan will both parade experimental teams for Sunday's other Section A clash at Irvinestown.

The Fermanagh squad includes Coa club-man Darragh McQuaid.

Erne men Ciaran O'Reilly and Ryan Keenan will be on university duty.

O'Reilly will be in action for Queen's against Tyrone while Keenan will line out for St Mary's against Armagh.

Monaghan will be without James McElroy and Raymond Ronaghan for the McKenna campaign after both pulled out of the squad because of work commitments.

Newcomers to the Monaghan squad include Carrickmacross centre half-back Gary McEneaney, Latton's Stephen Fitzpatrick and Aghabog's Shane Mulligan while Mark Duffy and Jason Hughes have been recalled to the panel.

It has also been revealed that former Cavan manager Martin McElkennon has been appointed as team trainer.

Damian Freeman will captain Seamus McEnaney's side this year.

Dr McKenna Cup

Sunday 7 January (all 1400 GMT)

Section A
St Mary's v Armagh (at Crossmaglen)
Fermanagh v Monaghan (Irvinestown)

Section B
Derry v Cavan (Celtic Park)
Queen's University v Tyrone (Omagh)

Section C
Donegal v UUJ (Ballyshannon)
Down v Antrim (Downpatrick)