By 
MALACHY O’ROURKE’S first Senior Championship assignment as Tyrone manager will be against Cavan in the Ulster opener next April.
The 2025 Ulster Senior Football Championship draw took place last Saturday afternoon and the challenge facing O’Rourke in the first round is a home clash at O’Neill’s Healy Park against the Breffni Blues.
On paper it appears a favourable enough tie for the Red Hands but it is a repeat of this year’s quarter-final meeting at Breffni Park when the hosts pushed their visitors all the way. On that occasion Tyrone needed extra time to advance to a semi-final meeting with Donegal which saw them defeated at Celtic Park (also in extra-time) as Jim McGuinness’s side went on to defeat Armagh in the Ulster Final after penalties.
If Tyrone do get past Cavan, then there’s a chance that they could have a local derby clash with near neighbours and reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh in the last four, although they will need to see off Antrim before that.
The Ulster Championship is always notoriously difficult to win and if Donegal are to retain their title, then they will need to see off near neighbours Derry when they meet in a preliminary round clash.
2025 ULSTER SFC DRAW
Preliminary Round
Donegal vs Derry
First Round
Antrim vs Armagh
Tyrone vs Cavan
Fermanagh vs Down
Monaghan vs Down/Derry
Semi-Finals
Tyr/ Cav vs Ant/Arm
Ferm/Down vs Mon/ Don/ Derry