Fermanagh have named their 26 man squad for the forthcoming McKenna Cup and it includes new faces such as Ciaran Corrigan, Conor Murphy, Ryan Hyde and Tommy McCaffrey as well as a couple of players returning from long term injuries in the shape of the experienced Ryan McCluskey and Derrygonnelly’s Tiarnan Daly. There is also a return to the squad for Belnaleck’s Lee Cullen who had opted out last season.

Fermanagh are currently carrying a panel of 35 players but Ulster Council stipulations mean that only 26 can be named for the McKenna Cup although that can change game to game with injuries and suspensions to be taken into account.

Roslea’s James McMahon is unavailable to Pete McGrath for the competition as he has been included in the Queens University squad for the season’s curtain raising competition.

Fermanagh will begin their McKenna Cup campaign on Sunday by making the short trip to Clones to take on Malachy O’Rourke’s Monaghan outfit.

This will then be followed by a home game against St. Mary’s at Brewster Park on Sunday January 15 and the group stage of the competition will be wrapped up with a meeting with Antrim on Wednesday January 18 at Brewster Park.

The McKenna Cup will provide players with a chance to lay down a marker as they look to put themselves in contention for a starting slot when Fermanagh travel to Newry to take on Down in the opening game in their Division Two programme at the start of February.

It is also a good chance for McGrath to get key game time for the likes of McCluskey and Daly.

Fermanagh will be without Ruairi Corrigan who underwent shoulder surgery on Tuesday and is expected to be out for at least four months.

Fermanagh Squad for the McKenna Cup 1 Christopher Snow Ederney 2 Aidan Breen Tempo 3 Che Cullen Belnaleck 4 Cián McManus Teemore 5 Ciaran Corrigan Maguiresbridge 6 Conor P Murphy Kinawley 7 Danny Teague Maguiresbridge 8 Declan McCusker Ederney 9 Eddie Courtney Aghadrumsee 10 Eoin Donnelly Coa 11 Eoin McManus Teemore 12 James Allen Kinawley 13 James Duffy Irvinestown 14 Kane Connor Belnaleck 15 Lee Cullen Belnaleck 16 Thomas Treacy Devenish 17 Mickey Jones Derrygonnelly 18 Paddy Reihill Enniskillen 19 Patrick McGovern Kinawley 20 Paul McCusker Ederney 21 Ryan Hyde Maguiresbridge 22 Ryan McCluskey Enniskillen 23 Tiarnan Daly Derrygonnelly 24 Tom Clarke Lisnaskea 25 Tomás Corrigan St Oliver Plunkett 26 Tommy McCaffrey Erne Gaels