Dr McKenna Cup Round-Up
There were contrasting fortunes for the two newest managers in Ulster football in the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup, with Paddy O’Rourke’s Armagh beaten by UUJ and James McCartan’s Down destroying Queen’s.
There were also wins for Fermanagh, Donegal, Tyrone and Antrim.
See below for reports on each of the matches as well as exclusive video footage from some of the games.
Weekend review of all the action in the opening round of games in the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN46xrDm9jY[/youtube]
Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Group A:
UUJ 0-16 Armagh 0-12
Paddy O’Rourke’s reign as Armagh boss started on a disappointing note as the Orchard County were beaten by UUJ in Group A of the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup at sunny Crossmaglen on Saturday afternoon.
Brian McCone found the back of the net for Armagh after 16 minutes, but the Ryan Cup holders battled back into the game and drew level at 1-6 to 0-9 at the break.
Adrian McGuckin’s charges took control of the game in the second half and led right to the death, although Steven McDonnell did have a late chance to level the game for Armagh, but he sent his free wide.
UUJ beat Armagh in Crossmaglen:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnd9KLB009c[/youtube]
Paddy O’Rourke interview following his side’s defeat at the hands of UUJ:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0movgN2XKSE[/youtube]
Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Group A:
Fermanagh 0-12 Monaghan 0-08
Fermanagh took full advantage of the 29th minute dismissal of Monaghan full back Dick Clerkin to record a 4 point victory at Brewster Park.
Fermanagh manager will be impressed with the hunger shown by his troops and also the spread of their scorers as 5 of the starting 6 forwards all registered on the scoreboard.
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Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Group B:
Donegal 0-11 Cavan 0-09
John Joe Doherty’s Donegal opened their 2010 season with an impressive 0-11 to 0-9 win over Cavan in Group B of the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup.
Donegal trailed 0-4 to 0-3 at the half-time break, but Michael Murphy’s appearance as a substitute and three points from the boot of Gareth Concar helped them to a two-point victory.
Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Group B:
Tyrone 0-26 St Mary’s 0-10
Tyrone recorded the highest score of the weekend as they eased to a 16 point victory over the students of St Mary’s University College.
Ardboe clubmen Brian McGuigan and Kyle Coney were particularly to the fore and the former showed evidence that he is back to his classy best, and the latter scoring 5 points from play on his Senior debut for the Red Hands.
Tyrone Powerpoints:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jr1YoE6RMo[/youtube]
Kyle Coney, who collected the man of the match award on his first outing for the Tyrone Seniors:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajWkv-Z0PXs[/youtube]
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Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Group C:
Down 1-17 Queen’s 0-08
Martin Clarke marked his first senior start for his county with a personal haul of 1-6 as Down ran out comfortable winners over Queen’s in a one-sided Group C Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup game.
The An Ríocht clubman, recently returned from a four-year stint in the AFL with Collingwood, kicked five frees and a second half penalty in a performance that will have greatly pleased new Down boss James McCartan.
Clarke’s brother, John, and Paul McComiskey kicked 0-3 each as McCartan’s charges turned a 0-9 to 0-6 half-time lead into a 12-point winning margin.
James McCartan interview following Down’s impressive win over Queen’s:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adoYQgXEm_I[/youtube]
Martin Clarke Penalty:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO5rAh6i1LM[/youtube]
Marty’s Mark:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBt4HxxQ7Vw[/youtube]
Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Group C:
Antrim 3-07 Derry 0-15
Goals proved crucial for the Saffrons as they secured their first win over neighbours Derry in more than a decade and a half.
Half way through the first half the Oak Leaf men held a 5 point lead, but major’s from Michael Magill and Michael McCann sent the sides in level at the break, 2-04 to 0-10.
The second half was a nip and tuck affair, before Antrim sub Ciaran Close calmy finished to the net following a save my Derry ‘keeper Martin Dunne from a Michael Magill shot to give Antrim a 3 point lead approaching full time. The impressive Raymond Wilkinson responded with 2 points for Derry, but the Saffron men held on for the narrowest of wins.
