Ulster Council president Martin McAviney has shrugged off criticism of the Dr McKenna Cup.

Despite a four per cent rise in attendance figures, this year's pre-season competition has been blighted by postponements and last-minute venue changes. The Ulster Council was also criticised for proceeding with two games in appalling weather conditions last Wednesday week.

But McAviney has issued a stout defence of the McKenna Cup in today's Irish News, saying: "Counties are getting proper competitive games and you're getting some previews to the league which obviously the fans love to see as well.

"The teams would be playing challenge matches anyway and, to me, that's a mess. You don't know what's going into those matches.

"This way, we know who's playing, we know what's happening and I thought the breakthrough in the (county versus college) dispute over players has helped and actually sets the McKenna Cup up to be an even better competition over the next few years. And the team all want to be there."

The Monaghan man added: "For the McKenna Cup we have linesmen, umpires and fourth officials - everybody is there. It's a proper game and obviously people can go to it. The first day with Armagh and Tyrone (when a crowd of over 8,000 turned up at the Athletic Grounds) really set up off."

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