Derry and Donegal advance to Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna Cup Final

Bank of Ireland Dr. McKenna Cup semi-finals

ARMAGH 2-07 DERRY 0-17

MONAGHAN 0-11 DONEGAL 4-14 

Shane McGuigan’s 0-10 haul was vital as Derry eventually fended off Armagh‘s challenge at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds on Saturday evening.

Mickey Harte’s team advanced to the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup following a hard earned 0-17 to 2-7 success. An Oisín O’Neill point in the 53rd minute edged Armagh 2-7 to 0-12 in front, but Derry finished strongly.

It was level, 0-7 to 1-4, at the break following Seán Conlon’s goal for Armagh.

In the second period it remained a keenly contested encounter watched by 4,437 spectators, but Derry prevailed.

On Sunday, Donegal impressed with a very convincing 15-point victory over Monaghan.

Jim McGuinness’ team were much the sharper throughout and took control of the contest early on with three first half goals courtesy of Oisin Gallen (two) and Odhran Doherty. Gallen lobbed his first into an empty net when Donegal turned over possession with Monaghan ‘keeper Darren McDonnell out of his goal.

Doherty slammed home a second-goal for Doengal who were already nine points to the good by mid-way through the first half. Gallen scored his second goal from penalty kick to bring his first-half scoring exploits to 2-4, as Donegal went in at the break leading by 3-9 to 0-3.

They emptied their subs bench in the second-half and one of the new faces, Ronan Frain, scored their fourth goal to add further lustre to the final score.