By 
DEFENDING Senior League champions Dromore will begin their title defence in a fortnight’s time at home to Omagh.
That is one of the stand-out clashes in the opening round fixtures of the new look All-County League which gets underway across Tyrone this coming Sunday.
With each of the three grades sub-divided into two for the 2020 campaign, because of the tighter timeframe in which to run off all club competitions, the top teams will be looking to hit the ground running, given they have fewer competitive matches to play.
Other newly promoted sides will be keen to test themselves against higher calibre opposition, buoyed by the fact that they don’t have to concern themselves with potential relegation.
Nearly 70 per cent of clubs voted to remove the spectre of relegation in the ACL this season for Divisions Oneand Two, and while that could create issues in terms of motivation in the latter stages around September time for sides already out of contention in both League and Championship, there will be no questioning players attitude or commitment in these initial rounds.
Elsewhere on opening day in Division One Group 1, Dungannon will host new boys Loughmacrory; Killyclogher welcome Pomeroy; Errigal Ciaran take on Moy; and Ardboe tackle An Charraig Mhor.
In Division One Group 2 Intermediate champions Galbally travel to neighbours Donaghmore; Clonoe are at home to Trillick; and Coalisland make the short trip to Derrylaughan.
Meanwhile in Division Two Group 1, the newly formed Naomh Eoghain (combined Newtownstewart/Dregish) are on their travels to meet Rock; Owen Roes are at home toGreencastle; Moortown clash with Stewartstown; and Edendork begin their quest for promotion at home to Tattyreagh, themselves also relegated last term.
In Division Two Group 2 Strabane welcome Beragh; Eglish have home advantage against Aghaloo; Clogher are away Aghyaran; and Augher are on the road to Gortin.
The newly formed Coalisland IIIs have home field advantage for their first competitive match in Division Three Group 1 vs Drumquin; there’s a derby encounter between Urney and Clan na nGael; Brockagh meet fallen giants Cookstown; and Errigal Ciaran III are home to Castlederg.
In Division Three Group 2 the opening fixtures are Drumragh v Kildress; Killeeshil v Derrytresk; Fintona v Killyman; and Eskra v Brackaville. Glenelly have a bye in the nine team Group.
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