Brian McIver's side will start their season on 2 January

UUJ will be back in action four days later when they face Tyrone at Omagh.

The 6 January programme will also see St Mary's facing Fermanagh, Armagh taking on Derry, Queen's up against Antrim and Cavan meeting Monaghan.

There will be five games on 9 January with Donegal and UUJ not in action having clashed seven days earlier.

All 12 sides will be in action on Sunday 13 January with the final group game between Down and Donegal scheduled for Newry on Wednesday 16 January.

Holders Tyrone will face Down, Donegal and UUJ in the group stages.

Group A will see Fermanagh, Armagh, Derry and St Mary's College Belfast in opposition while Antrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Queen's comprise Group C.

The winners of group B will face group C winners in the semi-finals with the top team in group A facing the best runner-up in the other semi-final.

Tyrone won last year's competition - but only after winning an appeal.

The Ulster Council initially stripped them of the title over the unauthorised use of university players but Tyrone successfully appealed against that ruling.

Despite last year's controversy, there is a possibility of Tyrone manager Mickey Harte again becoming embroiled in a row over the selection of third level players.

Harte has indicated that established Tyrone squad members will be able to play for their universities but he believes that he should have the option of picking other players who are not regulars for the county.

The Tyrone manager has said that he will have negotiations with university managements over the issue.

Gaelic Life Dr Mc Kenna Cup Groups

Group A
Fermanagh, Armagh, Derry, St Mary's College Belfast.

Group B
Tyrone, Down, Donegal. University of Ulster, Jordanstown.

Group C
Antrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Queen's University, Belfast.

Semi-Finals
Winners Group B vs Winners Group C
Winners Group A vs Best Runner-Up.

Fixtures (All Sunday games 1400 GMT, Wednesday games 2000)

Wednesday 2 January
Donegal v UUJ at Ballybofey

Sun 6 Jan
St Mary's v Fermanagh at Lisnaskea
Armagh v Derry at Crossmaglen
UUJ v Tyrone at Omagh
Queens v Antrim at Casement Park
Cavan v Monaghan at Kingspan Breffni Park

Wed 9 Jan
Fermanagh v Armagh at Kingspan Breffni Park
Derry v St Mary's at Celtic Park
Tyrone v Down at Omagh
Antrim v Cavan at Casement Park
Monaghan v Queens at Castleblayney

Sun 13 Jan
St Mary's v Armagh at Crossmaglen
Derry v Fermanagh at Celtic Park
UUJ v Down at Newcastle
Donegal v Tyrone at Ballyshannon
Queens v Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park
Monaghan v Antrim at Ballybay

Wed 16 Jan
Down v Donegal at Newry

Sat 19 Jan (1930) : Semi Final: (1) Winner of Section B v Winner of Section C
Sun 20 Jan (1400): Semi Final: (2) Winner of Section A v best runner-up

Sat 26 January (1930): Final