U20 side set to begin campaign

TYRONE will begin the defence of their Ulster and All-Ireland U20 Football Championship titles with a trip to Kingspan Breffni Park to take on Cavan next month.

They have been drawn in the same group as Cavan, Down and Armagh in the provincial series, and face some tough encounters in the weeks ahead.

Following their opener on Wednesday, March 25, they have home advantage against Down at O’Neill Park in Dungannon on Wednesday, April 1.

And the concluding game in Section B takes them to the Box-It Athletic Grounds to take on Armagh on Wednesday, April 8.

The Red Hand county is currently enjoying a golden era at under-age level, with the Minors also set to defend an All-Ireland title, and the U20s are seeking to claim a third successive All-Ireland title.

Manager Paul Devlin has been working for several weeks with his squad, which includes a number of survivors from last year’s triumph, in preparation for another big challenge.

If the champions progress through the group stage, they will be involved in the quarter-finals on Wednesday PRIL 15, ahead of the semi-finals a week later, on Wednesday, April 22.

The Ulster final is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, with the winner going through to the All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday, May 10.

Details of the upcoming 2026 Dalata Hotel Group Ulster Under-20 Football Championship have been confirmed.

The Championship will be played during the months of March and April.

The competition will be organised in a ’round-robin’ format with a group of five and a group of four, with teams playing the other teams in their group once.

Section A: Donegal, Monaghan, Antrim, Derry, Fermanagh

Section B: Tyrone, Cavan, Armagh, Down

The top team in each group progress to the Ulster U20 Football Championship semi-finals.

The second and third place teams would criss-cross and play each other in two quarter-finals.

There will be provincial and national Tier 2 knockout competitions for counties who do not qualify for the Ulster U20 Championship quarter-finals.

The winners of the two quarter-finals progress to the semi-finals, while the two quarter-final losers are eliminated. The two teams that lose in the semi-finals will also be eliminated.

Finally, the three teams that finished in fourth and fifth positions in the groups would be eliminated from the Ulster Championship and enter the Tier 2 competition.

The provincial winners will progress to the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the Tyrone Ladies have launched an appeal for support for former team-mate Caitriona McGahan, who is recovering following a serious accident while on holiday.

Tyrone LGFA are hosting wheelchair football tournament in Galbally Community Centre on Saturday, April 18.

Monies raised will be used to support Catriona in her rehabilitation and recovery.

She was involved in an accident whilst on holiday in France that has left her with life-altering injuries.

Catriona was flown by French Air Ambulance from the accident to a hospital in Marseille and then transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital and Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast. She is now home, continuing to work on her rehabilitation.

The extent of the physical injuries has meant Catriona has many adjustments to make to get on with daily life. She requires home modification and extensive therapy.

Catriona has worn the jerseys of Oonagh Celts LGFC, Killeeshil GFC, Tyrone LGFA, Ulster LGFA, University of Ulster GFC, Parnells GFC, London LGFA as well as Central Coast GAA in Australia. Catriona also played for Ireland in the inaugural Compromise Rules test v Austraila in 2024.

The Tyrone Ladies squad said in a statement: “As a player, she was a great team mate and a fair, honest and hard opponent. Catriona gave everything she had for her teams and her team mates.

“Her football talent and dedication and her spirit, kindness and warm personality has ensured she is literally known throughout the world.

"We know that in times of adversity, Catriona would be the first one to help in any way she could. This is our time to step up and support her and her family.

“We, her ladies football team mates and friends, are calling for support for her at this difficult time.

“We are calling on you all to enter a team. Entry is £200 (suggested minimum donation) for teams of five to seven people. All equipment is provided.”