The opening round of matches in the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup included some highly competitive encounters so another interesting weekend looms.

Tyrone have won the competition five times in a row, but they were beaten by Cavan, who made a promising start under new manager Mattie McGleenan, last Sunday. That loss means the Red Hands know that only a victory will suffice when they play strong UUJ outfit in Carrickmore.

Martin McHugh’s students are fancied to launch a serious bid for Independent.ie Sigerson Cup honours in 2017 so a good match is anticipated.

UUJ prevailed following a lively clash with Donegal, who are fielding an under 21 team in the tournament. Paddy McBrearty nailed seven points for UUJ in that success, while Ryan McHugh supplied the dramatic last gasp goal.

Mickey Harte’s plans for the upcoming campaign were dealt a severe blow in Kingspan Breffni Park when Connor McAlliskey suffered a knee injury that is expected to rule him out for the rest of the year.

On Sunday at Pairc Esler Down and Derry, who both posted victories in their first matches collide. A healthy 2,281 crowd gathered at Owenbeg as Derry defeated Armagh with Adrian McLaughlin’s first half goal a key moment.

Down did enough to secure the spoils against Queens, who travel to the Athletic Grounds for a game with Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh.

**Monaghan **shaded a tight clash with Fermanagh and Malachy O’Rourke’s team travel to Glenavy on Sunday for a game against Antrim.

The Saffrons lost a high scoring tussle to St Mary’s first time out and they will need to be diligent dealing with Monaghan’s Thomas Kerr, who registered four points in their triumph over Fermanagh.

In Ballybofey McGleenan’s Cavan, who face All Ireland champions Dublin in an attractive Allianz Football League Division One opener next month, will be eager to eke out another victory against a youthful Donegal.

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup

Sunday January 15

**

Section A

**Down v Derry, Pairc Esler, 2pm

Armagh v Queens, Athletic Grounds, 2pm

Section B

Antrim v Monaghan, Glenavy, 2pm

Fermanagh v St Mary's, Brewster Park, 2pm

Section C

** **

Donegal v Cavan, MacCumhaill Park, 2pm

Tyrone v UUJ, Carrickmore, 2pm