Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Semi Finals 2017

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Semi Finals

Derry 2-12 Monaghan 1-13

Tyrone 0-14 Fermanagh 0-11

Tyrone and Derry will contest the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup final for the second year in a row following dogged semi-final victories.

Holders Tyrone, chasing a sixth title in a row in this competition, beat Fermanagh 0-14 to 0-11 at Clones while a wonder-goal from James Kielt earned Derry a 2-12 to 1-13 win over Monaghan in the Athletic Grounds.

Derry had the best of the opening half and led 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. The Oak Leafers scored the opening three minutes, through Kielt (free), Aidan McLoughlin and Enda Lynn inside 12 minutes.

After a number of wasteful Monaghan attacks, Kieran Hughes’ trusty left boot got Monaghan on the board two minutes later.

Kielt tagged on another free to open up a 0-6 to 0-2 lead for the Oak Leafers, but a Conor McManus brace just before the break reduced the deficit.

Derry lost Conor McAtamney and Benny Heron to black cards, forcing Damian Barton to run his bench a little earlier than anticipated.

Monaghan, who made three half-time changes, were much-improved in the second half with impressive substitute Conor McCarthy nailing a goal in the 51st minute to put them ahead for the first time.

A Mark Lynch free had Derry ahead 0-9 to 0-6 but Monaghan hit 1-3 in a seven minute spell with Fintan Kelly and McCarthy pointing and the latter also running through for a well-taken goal.

It looked like Monaghan would kick on, but Derry, with a new-look defence, responded with good support play and Emmett McGuckin palmed the ball to the net in the 58th minute after Ryan Bell’s score.

The sides were level twice late on before Kielt’s thunderbolt put Derry through to Saturday’s final with Tyrone in Pairc Esler.

Mickey Harte’s Red Hands led 0-7 to 0-4 at half time in Clones in what was a pretty defensive affair with Fermanagh’s Eoin Donnelly the only player to come close to scoring a goal.

Darren McCurry and Tomas Corrigan each bagged 0-6, three from frees, for their respective sides with Peter Harte also hitting four frees for Tyrone.

Report: GAA.ie