Derry return to Division Two for the first time since 2017 and host Down in Owenbeg in Saturday evening's round one tie.
Rory Gallagher's men gained promotion as Division Three winners following their facile 0-21 to 1-6 win over Offaly in Croke Park last June in what was the only football league final to take place last season.
Down, on the other hand, had to defeat Laois in a relegation play-off to retain their Division Two status with Paddy Tally stepping down in the wake of their subsequent Ulster Championship loss to Donegal.
