Tyrone handed tricky championship opener

All-Ireland football champions Tyrone will play Derry in the preliminary round of next season's Ulster Championship.

All-Ireland football champions Tyrone will play Derry in the preliminary round of next season's Ulster Championship.

The two sides met this year and Tyrone needed a replay to progress. The winners of next summer's encounter will play Fermanagh.

The draw, which was made by the GAA in Australia today, also sees Down play Cavan, All-Ireland finalists Armagh against Monaghan and Donegal versus Antrim.

Tyrone and Armagh have been kept on separate sides of the draw.

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In Leinster, champions Laois will play the winner of Carlow and Longford while Dublin await the winner of Westmeath and Offaly.

Kildare will play either Wexford or Louth while Meath will fancy their chances of beating Wicklow.

Kerry and Cork are set to meet in the Munster semi-final. The Kingdom, now managed by Jack O'Connor, play Clare with the winner lining out against Cork.

Tipperary play Limerick on the other side of the draw with Waterford awaiting the winner.

In Connacht, Leitrim have received a bye into the semi-final and will meet either Sligo or Roscommon. Mayo must negotiate New York and Galway play London.

All-Ireland hurling champions Kilkenny have a tricky opener against Wexford in the Leinster semi-final while runners up Cork should meet Limerick in the Munster semi-final providing they overcome Kerry in the first round.

Elsewhere in Munster, Clare and Waterford do battle in the opening round with the winner meeting Tipperary in the semis.