Armagh v Tyrone LIVE: Updates from the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds as the Dr McKenna Cup gets underway with fiery derby

Armagh take on Tyrone to get the Dr McKenna Cup back underway after a year’s hiatus, with pre-season tournaments making a comeback in a big way.

The pre-season competitions were halted last year after the introduction of the new rules in gaelic football to allow managers the time to drill their teams in the new enhancements.

Whilst this may be a pre-season affair, it is always an intense affair when these two sides take each other on, and it is always a game for the neutral to enjoy.

The Orchard has named a strong team to start off the inter-county pre-season, with many starters and All-Ireland winners named as starters, including their only All-Star, Oisín Conaty.

The 2024 All-Ireland champions are realistically only about four or five players away from fielding a full-strength side against the Red Hands, who have opted for the youthful approach.

Whilst a few of the usual suspects have made it into Malachy O’Rourke’s first XV of the year, he has given a lot of youngsters a starting spot against Armagh.

However, Kieran McGeeney’s side will have to be cautious of their subs bench, which includes the likes of Seanie O’Donnell, Darren McCurry, Niall Morgan and Niall Devlin.

The other side in section A of the pre-season competition, Down, await Armagh on Wednesday at Pairc Esler in Newry, no matter the result and will then face Tyrone next Sunday.