Close pairings in the Senior Championship

Last year’s beaten finalists Armagh Harps have been given a bye and several exciting tussles look to be on the cards in the other seven ties.

Defending champions Pearse g should be good enough to get past Mullaghbawn and Crossmaglen will be keen to regain the Gerry Fagan Cup when they start the competition with a tough game against Carrickcruppin.

The Maghery versus Clann ireann clash could be one of the best ties in the first round.

The Shore Road side gave a good account of themselves in last season’s semi-final against Pearse g and could have been much closer but for some inexperienced, wayward shooting.

Clan na Gael have a real tough outing against St. Patrick’s Cullhanna.

The Lurgan side made some improvement last season with a very young team but lost in the Championship against Armagh Harps following a replay.

On form this season’s Gerry Fagan Cup competition again looks to be a toss-up between Crossmaglen and Pearse g with a genuine challenge from the chasing pack looking unlikely.