Tyrone will face Cavan in the McKenna Cup this weekend but will not involve the college players at the centre of a row threatening their participation in the competition.
And the holders will still face an Ulster Council investigation into their use of the students in breach of a regulation which gives the universities first call on players.
"The Tyrone county committee will be contesting the alleged infraction put to us by the Ulster Council, but in the interest of the competition, we will not be playing the students against Cavan on Saturday, so that the Cavan game can proceed," said county chairman Pat Darcy in a brief statement.
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte had claimed the four players - Brendan Boggs, Colm Cavanagh and Damien McCaul from UUJ, and Cathal McCarron of St Mary's - were entitled to opt for their county rather than their college.
Yet the McKenna Cup regulations are clear on the issue of availability: Rules one and four state university sides have first call on players and players can play for only one team.
