Queen's University look set to withdraw from the 2013 McKenna Cup.

The Belfast University lost all three of their group matches in this year's competition, where they fielded weakened sides but they will be even weaker next month if - as is being suggested - intercounty teams are given first option on their stars.

Such a scenario would leave QUB without nine key men: Armagh trio Ryan Rafferty, Coalan Rafferty and Eugene McVerry, Tyrone pair Sean Warnock and Harry Og Conlan and Fermanagh duo Ryan Jones and Brian Cox as well as Owen Costello and Ryan Mallon (both Down).

Aidan O'Rourke, the GAA development officer at Queen's, tells the BBC: "If we lose six to nine players because we don't get the support of the Ulster Council, then the competition becomes a non-event for us.

"We have to ask ourselves what is the point in fielding a quarter strength team against a nearly full-strength county team?

"What good will we gain from taking a hammering? We need to seriously consider how we are going to prepare for the Sigerson." Tweet

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