Derry take on Louth in the revived Tomás Ó Fiaich Cup in Armagh tomorrow night (throw in 8.00pm).
The inter-county competition is named after the late Cardinal Tomas O’Fiaich, a native of the Crossmaglen area.
The first year it was held was 1985 but faded out in the late 1990s.
Played for by the counties within the archdiocese of Armagh, the parishes included a portion of Tyrone in Aghaloo, Errigal Ciaran, Beragh and Killeeshil, continuing up to Pomeroy, Termonmaguirc and Donaghmoyne, and eastwards to Dungannon, Eglish, Moy, to the loughshore with Ardboe, Clonoe and Coalisland.
Its see revival sees Derry joined by Louth, Down and Armagh played each other three times.
The two teams reaching the final, to take place on 15 December, will have played four games in nine days.
All the games will played in Crossmaglen and the Athletic Grounds in Armagh.
Derry PRO Dermot McPeake believes the tournament will provide an outlet for young, emerging players to stake their claim for places in county squads.
He said: “Obviously managers will have an early opportunity to run their eye over talent prior to the McKenna Cup and in this connection the O’Fiaich Cup will probably serve a very useful purpose.
He concluded: “Most county bosses are finalising their panels right now and getting the chance to observe players in competitive matches is always a benefit.”
The Derry team to play Louth is: Thomas Mallon (Loup); Oisin Duffy (Foreglen), Mark Craig (Dungiven), Mickey McShane (Ballinascreen); Conor McAtamney (Swatragh), Aidan McAlynn (Loup), Karl McKaigue (Slaughtneil); Niall Holly (Eoghan Rua), Fergal Doherty (Bellaghy); Carlus McWilliams (Ballinascreen), Ciaran McFaul (Glen), James Kearney (Swatragh); Declan Mullan (Eoghan Rua), Emmett McGuckin (Magherafelt), Ciaran McGoldrick (Eoghan Rua).
Substitutes: Eoin McNicholl (Glenullin), Declan Brown (Bellaghy), Ciaran Conway (Ballinascreen), Mark Lynch (Banagher), Peter Cassidy (Bellaghy), Emmett Bradley (Glen), Patsy Bradley (Slaughtneil), Benny Heron (Ballinascreen), Aaron Kerrigan (Claudy), Anthony O’Neill (Loup).
The complete fixture list is as follows:
Today (Thursday 5 December) – Athletic Grounds: Armagh v Down (8.00pm)
Tomorrow (Friday 6 December) – Athletic Grounds: Derry v Louth (8.00pm)
Sunday 8 December – Crossmaglen: Armagh v Louth (12.45pm)
Sunday 8 December – Crossmaglen: Down v Derry (2.30pm)
Wednesday 11 December – Athletic Grounds: Armagh v Derry (8.00pm)
Friday 13 December – Athletic Grounds: Down v Louth (8.00pm)
Sunday 15 December – Crossmaglen: Final (2.30pm).
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