All-Ireland champions Tyrone will begin the defence of their title in Clones on Sunday May 31st after the Ulster Council decided to move their quarter-final clash against provincial champions Armagh to St Tiernach’s Park from the original Omagh venue.
Citing an increased capacity of 33,000 over the 18,500 that Healy Park can cater for, the decision is seen as a compromise after the Ulster Council earlier ruled out moving the game to Croke Park. Just one week ago officials from both the Tyrone and Ulster councils reiterated their belief that the game would go ahead in Omagh.
In last night’s statement, the Ulster Council also pointed out that the move to Clones will allow them issue 10,000 seated family tickets, while they also confirmed that the Tyrone County Board would be compensated for the loss of ground rent that would have been due for hosting the game at Healy Park.
The Ulster Senior Football Championship will get underway on Sunday May 17th, when Fermanagh host Down in a preliminary round tie at Brewster Park in Enniskillen.
The first quarter-final takes place a week later when Derry host Monaghan at Celtic Park, before Tyrone meet Armagh on May 31st in what looks like one of the early highlights of the season.
Cavan will play the winners of the Fermanagh v Down tie on Saturday June 6th. The venue will depend which side makes it through the preliminary round clash, with Cavan earning home advantage if Fermanagh prevail. They will travel to Páirc Esler in Newry if Down triumph.
The last quarter-final between Donegal and Antrim has been penciled in for MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey on Sunday June 14th.
ULSTER SFC SCHEDULE
Sunday May 17th - Preliminary Round:Fermanagh v Down at Brewster Park, Enniskillen
Sunday May 24th - Quarter-final:Derry v Monaghan at Celtic Park, Derry
Sunday May 31st - Quarter-final:Tyrone v Armagh (holders) at St Tiernach's Park, Clones
Saturday June 6th – Quarter-final:Cavan v Fermanagh/Down ( If Cavan v Fermanagh, game will be played at Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan. If Cavan v Down, game will be played at Páirc Esler, Newry
Sunday June 14th - Quarter-final:Donegal v Antrim at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey