ULSTER GAA CHIEFS have appointed Joe Kernan to act as a mediator for any potential player disputes that will arise in the 2014 Dr McKenna Cup.
The pre-season provincial competition has been affected by controversies recently over the access to county players who are involved with college teams.
Queen’s University withdrew from the competition last winter in a row over the availability of players after several of their leading figures had been pulled from their ranks by county bosses.
Traditionally in GAA, it is third-level outfits who have first call on inter-county players for the pre-season provincial fare around the country.
The Ulster Council have moved to find a solution to potential rows by selecting Kernan, the ex-Armagh All-Ireland winning boss who is currently in charge of the Ulster interprovincial team, as a mediator.
The draw took place for the 2014 competition tonight:
Section A: QUB, Donegal, Tyrone, ArmaghSection B: St Mary’s UCB, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Derry
Section C: UUJ, Down, Antrim, Cavan
The competition fixtures will be finalised at a meeting of Comhairle Uladh CCC on Thursday 21st November, with the games taking place on the following dates:
Sunday 5th January: Round 1
Sunday 12th January: Round 2
Wednesday 15th January: Round 3
Sunday 19th January: Semi Finals
Section B Winners v Section A Winners
Best Runners Up v Section C Winners
Saturday 25th January: Final