The Dr McKenna Cup will return as 2022 season opener

The GAA has announced that the pre-season inter-county competitions will return in 2022 with counties allowed to resume training on 8 December.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the GAA's Central Council on Saturday. Ulster's Dr McKenna Cup will be among the pre-season competitions that have been given the go-ahead, with Donegal chairman Mick McGrath rowing in behind the idea this week.

“The Dr McKenna Cup gives the Ulster counties good preparation and time for experimentation ahead of the National League,” he said. “We welcome the move by Ulster to have the competition as part of the calendar for 2022 and feel it is the best place at that time of year to enable the management team to try new players and tactics.”

The competition can get underway any time on from December 8.