The Dr McKenna Cup heralds the start of a new GAA season.

The Dr. McKenna Cup will be played off in a matter of three weeks, now that University teams no longer take part. The overcrowded inter county programme will see teams go straight into the National League campaign.

Derry are in a three team group along with Tyrone and Fermanagh; these teams meet in Omagh in midweek with Tyrone strong favourites to win the opener. 

Derry will face off against Fermanagh at 1-30pm on Sunday with Ederney the venue. That, in effect, is a shorter journey for Derry as Enniskillen's Brewster Park is usually the venue for Fermanagh’s home games.

With the Glen players Emmett Bradley, Conor Glass and Ethan Doherty playing at Croke Park two hours later the Derry manager Rory Gallagher is likely to give some of the younger players the opportunity to show what they can do at the higher level.

One area he will be working on is to improve the attack which has been heavily dependent on Shane McGuigan in recent seasons. It is likely that Lachlan Murray and Matthew Downey will start with Eoin McEvoy also a possibility further back.

Manager Gallagher is a stickler for consistency so the core of the team will still be there. Possibly new goalkeeper addition Ryan Scullion of Ballinascreen could get a run out but expect Chrissy McKaigue, Brendan Rogers, Conor Doherty and Paudie McGrogan to be in the back six. Gareth McKinless and Swatragh's tall Oisin McWilliams is the likely midfield pairing with Shane McGuigan leading the attack.

For a county with only 22 clubs Fermanagh have always punched above their weight. Manager Kieran Donnelly does not have the same options as Rory Gallagher but every player who dons the green jersey will give his all.

One player who generally gives Derry plenty of problems is the imposing Sean Quigley. He actually made his debut against Derry as a teenager back in 2011. He is a brilliant free taker and his powerful frame makes him a hard player to mark.

County captain Declan McCusker will know the ground well as he is from the Ederney club. Other notable players are Ryan and Conal Jones, Josh Largo Ellis, Ciaran Corrigan and Darragh McGurn,

With county payers just back in training for about a month fitness will play a big part in the outcome. Derry will be anxious to get a victory in an effort to get games leading up to the start of the league at the end of the month.

They should have enough quality to get the points.

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