Dr McKenna Cup Round-Up

Michael Murphy, the Young Footballer of the Year, kicked 2-9 as Donegal produced a stunning comeback to salvage a 2-17 to 4-11 draw against Tyrone in a thrilling Dr McKenna Cup encounter on Wednesday night.

Tyrone attacker Martin Penrose kicked three goals in the first half alone as he challenged Murphy for man-of-the-match honours.

Penrose found the net after four minutes before adding a real beauty on the 20 minute mark. He completed his hat-trick deep into first-half added time to give Tyrone a 3-8 to 1-9 half-time lead.

Donegal set about eating into Tyrone’s lead in the third quarter, with Murphy, Colm McFadden and David Walsh among the point scorers.

Just after Murphy had levelled the game for Donegal with 15 minutes remaining, Kyle Coney, fresh from his match-winning performance against St Mary’s on Sunday, came off the bench to rattle the back of the net.

However, Murphy was not to be outdone and he grabbed his second goal of the game with a low shot to snatch a draw for John Joe Doherty’s side.

Elsewhere, Armagh boss Paddy O’Rourke secured the first win of his reign with a 2-13 to 1-11 defeat of Monaghan at Inniskeen.

Aaron Kernan netted after 25 minutes to give the Orchard County a 1-5 to 0-6 half-time lead.

Monaghan hit back with a Dermot Malone goal after the break, but Steven McDonnell, who finished with a haul of 1-4, grabbed Armagh’s second goal to secure a five-point win.

Fermanagh, meanwhile, ran out 1-13 to 1-12 winners over UUJ at Brewster Park.

The Erne men led by 0-7 to 0-5 at half-time, but they struck for a goal seven minutes after the restart through Damien Kelly to extend their lead to five points.

However, Peter Hughes responded with a three-pointer for the students almost immediately, before Malachy O’Rourke’s side extended their lead once again in the final quarter.

Tyrone’s Jason McAnulla hit two late points to drag UUJ back into the game late on, but Fermanagh hung on for a narrow win.

Cavan lost for the second time in five days en they were beaten 1-12 to 1-8 by St Mary’s at Breffni Park.

Once again Gareth Smith was Cavan’s main scoring threat, the Dublin native bagging 1-4 before he was taken off at half-time.

Smith’s goal came from the penalty spot and helped Tommy Carr’s men to a 1-5 to 0-6 interval lead.

However, Cavan were poor in attack without Smith after the break, and four points from Kevin Niblock as well as a last minute Kevin McQuaid goal gave the students the scalp they were looking for.

Once again, Martin Clarke underlined what a plus he is likely to be for Down football this year as he scored 0-4 for James McCartan’s side in Wednesday night’s 0-19 to 1-11 win over Antrim.

The former AFL star’s four first-half points, along with three from Conor Laverty, helped Down to a 0-13 to 0-4 lead at the break.

The Saffrons fought back admirably in the second half, scoring six points without reply at one point, and added a late goal from the boot of Neil O’Connell.

However, Down, thanks to three points from corner forward Paul McComiskey, were always in control and collected their second win from as many games in the competition with little trouble.

Finally, Derry racked up a huge 4-16 to 1-7 win over Queen’s at Celtic Park.

Kevin O’Neill netted for Derry in response to an early three-pointer for the students from the boot of Brian Cox, as Damian Cassidy’s side led by 1-6 to 1-5 at the break.

However, Derry completely dominated the second half and goals from Seamus Bradley, Joe Diver and Raymond Wilkinson goal secured an emphatic win.

Wednesday’s Dr McKenna Cup Results:

Group A
Monaghan 1-11 Armagh 2-13
Fermanagh 1-13 UUJ 1-12

Group B
Cavan 1-8 St Mary’s 1-12
Donegal 2-17 Tyrone 4-11

Group C
Down 0-19 Antrim 1-11
Derry 4-16 Queen’s 1-7

Armagh’s new manager Paddy O’Rourke gets his first victory over Monaghan in front of a 2,000 crowd at Iniskeen in the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup and is full of praise for the double act of Ronan Clarke and Stevie McDonnell:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dua5rdF_TTE[/youtube]

Stevie McDonnell strikes for goal in the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup tie against Monaghan at Iniskeen on Wednesday January 20:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUzF-cV368A[/youtube]

Some more scores from Monaghan v Armagh:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InOVn_f-hg0[/youtube]