Tyrone have been stripped of the Dr McKenna Cup after the Ulster Council found they were in breach of a teamsheet rule in last month's final against Donegal at Healy Park.
The Red Hands have already been in trouble during the campaign because of manager Mickey Harte's use of college players. And now they have been stripped of the title as the Tyrone line-up for the final included college players, Cathal McCarron and Damein McCaul, who were not among the 15 on the teamsheet.
The committee found that there was a "a breach of the rule arising from Tyrone's failure to provide a list of players' as specified in the rule". Ulster Council PRO Michael Hasson confirmed that the penalty for the rule breach is "forfeiture of the game without award for the opposing team, or a fine, depending on the circumstances".
Tyrone won last month's final (February 17th) 2-9 to 0-5 at
Healy Park to win the trophy for the fourth successive season.
Harte's men were deducted points for fielding four college
players against Derry during the group stages of the competition.
They still topped their group despite the deduction.
Throughout, Harte toook the stance that college players should be afforded the opportunity to play for their counties in the McKenna Cup.
"I'm more disappointed than surprised by this decision," Harte told BBC Sport of today's decision. "Given the competition was complete and the final didn't involve any of the colleges I thought the degree of controversy which had existed was not there.
"I've no regrets, the players wanted to try out for Tyrone and I think it is good for their careers at their colleges and with the county.
At this point it remains unclear if Tyrone will appeal today's decision.