Dr McKenna Cup Round Up

Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Section C
Down 3-11 Armagh 2-15

Armagh opened the 2011 season with an impressive 2-15 to 3-11 defeat of neighbours Down at Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday night.

Benny Coulter scored two goals for last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists, who nearly pulled off an unlikely comeback having trailed by 0-8 to 0-1 at one stage in the first half.

Remarkably, though, the Mourne men went into the half-time break level at 1-6 to 0-9 thanks to a Peter Fitzpatrick goal and a flurry of points.

Down took the lead when Coulter scored the first of his brace, before the Orchard men struck back almost immediately through Brian Mallon.

The points looked to be secure for the hosts when Coulter again netted in the final quarter, but a late Anthony Duffy three-pointer saw Paddy O’Rourke’s men scrape over the line.

Antrim 2-12 St Mary’s 0-9

At Casement Park, Antrim were always on top as they beat St Mary’s thanks to goals in either half of a game played in stormy conditions.

Naomh Enda’s Dean O’Neill scored the Saffrons’ first half goal, giving Liam Bradley’s side a comfortable 1-7 to 0-2 lead at the break.

The students put up more resistance in the second half and reduced the gap to just four points, 1-7 to 0-6, at one stage.

However, Antrim secured the points thanks to a late goal from Kevin Niblock, whose shot should have been saved by Ronan McAnenly, the St Mary’s goalkeeper.

—

Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Section B
Monaghan 0-9 0-13 Queen’s

Monaghan failed to recover from the first half dismissal of Francis Caulfield as they lost out to Queen’s at Clones.

The Students led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break, but Caulfield’s dismissal on a second yellow card in the 13th minute was the talking point of the first half.

On the resumption of play, Queen’s extended their lead to 0-10 to 0-4 with Charlie Kielt and Niall McKenna amongst their scorers.

Queen’s were similarly reduced to 14 men when substitute Joe Ireland was sent off as the game entered the final quarter, but they managed to hold on for the win despite Monaghan’s late charge.

Cavan 1-10 1-12 Derry

John Brennan’s reign as Derry boss began in fine style as his side built on an excellent first half display to take the points on offer against Cavan at Kinsgpan Breffni Park.

The Oak Leafers led by 0-11 to 0-3 at the break, with the returning Paddy Bradley chipping in with a brace of points and Conleth Gilligan contributing five.

Cavan did mount something of a comeback in the second half and a late Michael Brennan brought them to within three points.

—

Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup Section A
Donegal 0-14 UUJ 0-10

Jim McGuinness enjoyed a winning start to his term as Donegal manager at Ballybofey, where his side were fully deserving of their four-point win over UUJ.

Donegal, the Dr McKenna Cup holders, led 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time before two further points from Dermot Molloy saw the Tír Chonaill men take a commanding lead.

The students fought back valiantly at the death but Donegal held on for a deserved victory on the first day of their 2011 season.