Dr McKenna Cup Round-Up

January 24th, 2010

derry-down-mckennacup-2010 Down finished the group stages of the McKenna Cup with a third win in a row, beating Derry by 1-15 to 1-13 at Celtic Park to set up a semi-final meeting with Donegal.

Martin Clarke scored the second goal of his senior inter-county career to give the visitors a 1-11 to 0-5 second half lead having been 0-9 to 0-4 ahead at the break.

However, Derry kicked the next five points and Seamus Bradley added a goal to level the game going into the final minutes.

The in-form Paul McComiskey struck two points at the death to hand the spoils to James McCartan’s side, who will go into Wednesday’s clash with holders Donegal in confident mood.

The other game in Section C saw Antrim run out 0-15 to 0-14 winners over Queen’s.

In Section A, Ryan Jones hit 1-2 for Fermanagh as beat Armagh by 1-8 to 1-6 at the Athletic Grounds.

The win sees Malachy O’Rourke’s side move into the last four of the competition, with Ulster champions Tyrone waiting in next Wednesday night’s semi-final.

Jones’s goal after 22 minutes helped the Erne men to a 1-4 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Stevie McDonnell, who hit 1-4 in Wednesday’s win over Monaghan, was once again in fine form and his haul of 1-3 had Paddy O’Rourke’s men just a point in arrears going into the final minutes.

McDonnell was set up for his goal by his usual partner in crime, Ronan Clarke, and his contribution of 1-3 came in seven stunning minutes.

However, Ryan Carson had the final say, his injury time point giving Fermanagh a two-point win and a place in the last four.

The day’s final game saw Monaghan beat UUJ 4-16 to 2-13 at Inniskeen.

Tyrone moved into the semi-finals of the McKenna Cup with a comfortable 2-17 to 1-4 win over Cavan at freezing Healy Park on Saturday evening.

In a game that was delayed by more than 30 minutes due to heavy fog, Mark Donnelly impressed by firing 2-2 for Mickey Harte’s rampant side.

Donnelly’s first goal came after 33 minutes, with two further points from Niall McKenna helping Tyrone to a 1-8 to 0-3 half-time lead.

The Ulster champions were in cruise control after the break, as Donnelly grabbed his second goal of the game in the 55th minute before Alan Clarke pulled one back to put some respectability on the scoreline from a Cavan point of view.

Elsewhere, Donegal will join Tyrone in the semi-finals as best runner-up from the group stages after a straightforward 1-13 to 0-5 defeat of St Mary’s at Ballybofey.

Colm McFadden, who hit seven points, was the star of the show for John Joe Doherty’s side, while Adrian Hanlon found the back of the net in the second half.

Donegal led by 0-6 to 0-2 at half-time, but the students fought back off the break and got to within of their opponents.

However, Hanlon’s goal came at just the right time for Donegal, and when McFadden kicked four late points, the home side had secured their place in the last four of the competition.

Late Drama at Celtic Park:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoB7VLhUrLg[/youtube]

Aidan Carr Interview:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeFi_nMsXA[/youtube]

Derry v Down Goals:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnsK8XGfLwM[/youtube]

Derry v Down Goal Chances:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTIxebMT0vQ[/youtube]

Tyrone v Cavan Report:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZqgSyk6gQ[/youtube]

Joe McMahon Interview:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc7zGgC9u3w[/youtube]