DOWN’S senior footballers have been placed in the McKenna Cup group of death alongside bitter rivals Derry, Armagh and UUJ.
Down open their campaign on Wednesday, January 3, with a game against Armagh at Pairc Esler and follow that four days later when they take on UUJ on Sunday, January 7, at Pairc Tomas Ruiseil, Downpatrick.
Their final Section B game will be played on Wednesday, January 10, when they travel to Owenbeg to face Derry.
The semi-finals of the competition are scheduled for January 14 and the final will be played on January 20.
Down manager Eamon Burns has cast his net wide and far in a bid to strengthen his panel and it is expected that he will blood a few new faces.