GL Dr McKenna Cup Update
Down took another positive step in the defence of their Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup title with a win over All-Ireland champions Tyrone in front of a crowd of 3,750 in Newry on Sunday.
Down made a lively start with scores from Conor Garvey and Michael Magee, but the sides were level three times in the opening quarter, Raymond Mulgrew and Stephen O’Neill on target for Tyrone.
Two superb long-range scores, kicked into the gusting breeze by wing-back Hugh Davey, helped the Mourne men pull two points clear by the 27th minute, but the Red Hands finished the first half strongly when newcomer Gareth Devlin raced through for a fine individual point, before O’Neill brought his tally to three.
Down crafted a goal chance in the dying moments of the half when Danny Hughes sent Ronan Sexton through, but Cavanagh saved the day with a wonderful tackle.
The sides were deadlocked on 0-6 each at the break, and Cavanagh kicked Tyrone ahead for the first time six minutes into the second-half.
The home support were bracing themselves for an onslaught from the All-Ireland champions, but it was Down who turned on the power with a devastating final 20 minutes.
They simply blew the Red Hands away, hitting nine points without reply. John Fegan, John Boyle, Magee, Daniel Hughes and substitute Danny Hughes all hit quality scores as the Tyrone challenge crumbled.
Even the introduction of more big guns from the bench could not turn the tide for a Tyrone side that in all called on 11 players who helped beat Kerry back in September.
But it was another good day at the office for Ross Carr’s men, and while the Down boss was remaining cautious in his reflections on this thumping win, he saw many positives after his side demolished the Tyrone challenge in a one-sided final 20 minutes.
“We’re very happy, but I think we have got to put it in perspective too,” Down boss Ross Carr admitted.
“You had a team who have won the all-Ireland and have just come back from a fortnight’s holidays on Friday. We’re delighted with our own work, but you’ve got to put it in perspective too.
“We asked the boys last week and again today to use it as a training session, and that’s what they’re doing. They’re trying to blow out the cobwebs from the break, but again I wouldn’t go overboard on it either.
“We’re very happy with the way we played, but we know that there are massive tasks ahead.”
Down: B McVeigh, D Rafferty, M Cole, C Garvey [0-1], K McKernan, L Sloan, H Davey [0-2], J Lynch, J Ireland [0-1], R Sexton, J Boyle [0-1], D Hughes [0-2], J Fegan [0-3, 2f], C Magee, M Magee [0-4, 3f].
Subs: A Carr for McKernan [H/T], K Duffin for Rafferty [45], B Coulter [0-2] for C Magee [48]
Tyrone: J Devine, M Swift, P Donnelly, M McGee, D Harte, S Cavanagh [0-1], P Jordan, K Hughes, A Cassidy, R Mellon, C Doris, G Devlin [0-1], R Mulgrew [0-1], S O’Neill [0-5, 3f], T McGuigan [0-1].
Subs: J McMahon for McGuigan [H/T] E McGinley for Doris [50], M Penrose for Mellon [52]
Referee: P Hughes [Armagh]
Wides: Down 12, Tyrone 8
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Sunday also saw five other games down for decision in the Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup.
In Section A, UUJ shocked National League champions Derry at Ballinascreen on a 0-13 to 0-10 scoreline while in Ballyshannon, John Joe Doherty’s Donegal had three points to spare over Fermanagh.
Monaghan emerged on the wrong side of a 1-10 to 1-13 scoreline with St Mary’s in their Section B match at Emyvale. The Farney County had both Rory Woods and Dessie Mone sent-off.
Up in Casement Park, Antrim could not make home advantage count as they went down by two points to Tommy Carr’s Cavan.
Finally, Armagh came from the dead to beat Queens University by four points. Ryan Henderson was the toast of the Orchard County after scoring three late goals.
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Dr McKenna Cup results
Section A
Derry 0-10 UUJ 0-13
Donegal 0-11 Fermanagh 1-5
Section B
Monaghan 1-10 St Mary’s 1-13
Section C
Antrim 0-12 Cavan 1-11
Queens University 0-12 Armagh 3-5
