2024 Bank of Ireland McKenna Cup semi-finals confirmed

January 11th, 2024

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Round 3

ARMAGH 1-14 TYRONE 2-10

DOWN 2-15 CAVAN 1-15

MONAGHAN 2-9 FERMANAGH 0-12

The Semi Finals of the 2024 Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup were were confirmed following last night’s third and final round of group stage games.

Holders Derry, having already won both their games and finishing top of Section B, will travel to take on Armagh in the Box-It Athletic Grounds on Saturday afternoon. The Orchard qualified for the final four having finished as next best runner-up after their one-point home win over Tyrone last night, with Donegal finishing on top of Section A by score difference.

Donegal will take on Monaghan in the other Semi Final which takes place on Sunday at Castleblayney, with the Farney running out three-point victors over Fermanagh in Brewster Park to top Section C.

At the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Armagh county goalkeeper Shea Magill made three superb saves against Tyrone, and they were also thankful for Peter McGrane’s first-half goal which took the heat out of a fast start by the Red Hand County, Tarlach Quinn netting for the visitors.

Tyrone still led by one at half-time, 1-7 to 1-6, but Armagh were the dominant force in the second-half with Oisin O’Neill (scoring 0-7), Callum O’Neill and Cian McConville all impressing.

Tyrone scored a late goal when a long punt from Dalaigh Jones went straight to the net, but it was too little, too late.

At Brewster Park, Monaghan overcame a sluggish start that saw them fall four points behind Fermanagh after 13 minutes. The game turned after 30 minutes when Andrew Woods palmed a Monaghan goal that helped them draw level by half-time.

There was little between the teams for most of the second half either until the contest was ultimately decided by Stephen O’Hanlon’s late goal for Monaghan.

The third game of the night didn’t affect the semi-final placings, but it was still a heartening victory for Down who came from six points down in the second half to beat Cavan by three in Páirc Esler. Late scores from Pat Havern, Oisin Savage & Rory Mason claimed victory for the home side.