Down draw Tyrone in McKenna Cup

Down's John Clarke challenges Derry's Joe Keenan in this year's final

Holders Down will face All-Ireland champions Tyrone in the group stage of next year's Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup.

Group B will also feature Monaghan and St Mary's College while Group A sees National League champions Derry facing Fermanagh, Donegal and UUJ.

Group C will pit Ulster Champions Armagh against Cavan, Antrim and QUB.

The semi-finals will see the Group A winners facing the best runner-up with the Group B and C table toppers meeting in the other last-four clash.

Speaking after Tuesday evening's draw at the Armagh City Hotel, Ulster GAA president Tom Daly said that the competition had "proven to be extremely popular both among the competing teams and followers".

"It is relished by all concerned as an important start to the forthcoming season," said the Ulster official.

"One of the innovations has been the number of matches played under floodlights.

"This has been facilitated by the Ulster Council's modernisation programme and means that the competition can be completed in the designated timeframe."

The schedule of fixtures and dates for games will be decided by the Ulster Council GAA Competition Control later this month.

Down defeated Derry 1-12 to 1-6 in this year's decider on 26 January.

Group A: Fermanagh, Derry, Jordanstown, Donegal

Group B: Tyrone, Monaghan, Down, St Mary's

Group C: Armagh, Queen's, Cavan, Antrim.

Semi-finals: Group A winners v Best runners up; Group B winners v Group C winners.