While some have brought the importance of the provincial championships into question, there is no doubt about the importance of the competition in Ulster. Derry will enter this year's edition hoping to win a third title on the bounce, but there is certainly suggestion that there is a lack of competitiveness in that championship.
There are always a number of close games in Ulster every season, with most counties in the province having a realistic ambition of winning the trophy.
In saying that, it has been suggested that this dynamic can often hurt those counties when it comes to the All-Ireland series. Derry will be an interesting test case in 2024.
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Lee Keegan has questions over Derry's Ulster campaign
Derry are clearly on a mission to win every trophy possible this season, something they have managed to keep up so far after their Dr McKenna Cup and Division One triumphs. That is set to continue with a tilt at the Ulster title.
However, some have questioned if they would be better off exiting the provincial competition early on.
On the tougher side of the draw and facing the prospect of a gruelling schedule if they reach an Ulster final, that could harm them later in the summer during in the All-Ireland series.
Writing in his column for RTÉ, Lee Keegan questioned if an Ulster run would be beneficial for Derry if their man goal was to lift the Sam Maguire later this year.
We've heard enough from Derry that they're intent on winning every trophy going.
Brendan Rogers said as much before the league final and couldn't understand why everyone didn't think the same. Mickey Harte's hunger for silverware extends to the McKenna Cup every year. Derry are going for this.
Whether they should or not... that's another question entirely. You'd definitely wonder whether a team in their position and with their ambitions, needs another arduous run through an Ulster championship, when they've already done back-to-back in the province...
They're looking at eight games to get to an All-Ireland final, most of them probably against top tier opposition. Harte has added to their squad depth but they still wouldn't be on par with Dublin and Kerry in that regard.
The Ulster title still carries a massive aura for teams up there but, given their ultimate ambition this year, I'd be worried about the energy they're going to expend in the provincial run and whether that'll prove sustainable come the business end of the championship.
It is unlikely that Mickey Harte will agree with that assessment, although it will be interesting to see if a run in Ulster would har Derry during the All-Ireland series.
All will be revealed over the coming months.
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