TYRONE have been paired with defending champions Donegal, as well as Cavan and St Mary's in Group B for the 2010 Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup.
Mickey Harte's charges open their campaign with a home tie against Cavan at Healy Park on Sunday 10th January, before entertaining St Mary's at the same venue seven days later.
They conclude their group phase with a midweek trip to Ballybofey to take on the holders Donegal on Wednesday January 20th.
These three January games (and perhaps more if the side advance to the semi-finals and final) will provide Harte and his backroom team with an ideal opportunity to run the rule over the burgeoning young talent at their disposal.
It's widely expected that the Red Hands 2010 squad will boost several newcomers with the Glencull man keen to inject fresh blood into the set-up after the disappointment of last August's All-Ireland semi-final collapse to Cork.
With long-serving midfielder Colin Holmes having last week called time on his distinguished inter-county career, other familiar faces from a glorious decade for the county could also be battling to retain their places with Harte recently hinting that he will embark on a dramatic overhaul of the squad. He has promised to give six or seven of the 2008 All-Ireland minor-winning team their chance.
"They will be put on strength and conditioning programmes for the McKenna Cup. If they make it, that means a handful of current panellists are going to lose out. That sends out its own message to everyone.
" We will retain a large panel for the start of the year but prune it all the way to the championship. There will be no comfort zones. No hiding places, No excuses. We all have things to prove. Success costs. We start paying now."
Earlier this month the Tyrone County Board readily agreed to Harte's request to continue his reign as manager beyond next year when it was due to expire, extending his contract for a further two years up to the completion of the 2012 season.
The launch of the early season McKenna Cup competition took place on Tuesday in the Armagh City Hotel.
The following groups emerged:
Group A: UUJ, Monaghan, Armagh, Fermanagh
Group B: St Mary's, Cavan, Donegal, Tyrone
Group C: QUB, Down, Antrim, Derry
The 2010 McKenna Cup competition will be sponsored by Omagh based firm Barrett Sports Lighting and Managing Director, Martin Barrett stated:
"Barrett Sports Lighting are delighted to sponsor the Dr McKenna Cup. This is a competition where the future county stars can challenge themselves against current county stars in competitive action.
" It also provides counties with meaningful preparation for the National Football League, and we are already looking forward to the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup".
Ulster GAA President Tom Daly paid tribute to the previous sponsor Gaelic Life, while he welcomed the new partnership with Barrett Sports Lighting as he commented:
"Ulster GAA is extremely grateful for the support from our new sponsors Barrett Sports Lighting. We look forward to working together to raise the profile of the competition to an all-time high.
" We look forward to the beginning of our Inter County programme for 2010 and an exciting and entertaining month of Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup action in January. I wish all teams well".
