GAA Round-Up: McKenna Cup

Derry, Tyrone, Armagh, Cavan and Down all got 2014 underway in a winning fashion in the Power NI McKenna Cup yesterday.

At Clones, Ulster champions Monaghan lost to Derry on a 2-15 to 2-11 score.

Derry led 2-04 to 1-06 at half-time in a free-flowing encounter, with no black cards in the opening half. An early second half goal saw Monaghan take a 2-08 to 2-05 lead early on the restart, but Derry pulled through for their first win of the year.

Tyrone pulled off a strong second-half display to claim a 0-13 to 1-07 win over Donegal in Group A.

The sides were level at 0-03 apiece after 22 minutes, after Michael Murphy had a penalty saved by Niall Morgan. But Murphy eventually netted with a 31st-minute goal to hand Donegal a 1-05 to 0-05 interval lead. Tyrone crept ahead on the restart, and out scored Donegal 8-2 to run out deserving winners.

Armagh enjoyed a 1-17 to 0-15 win over Queen’s University. 

The sides were tied constantly in the opening half, and went in at half time at 0-08 apiece. McConville's goal edged Armagh in front on the restart, and despite the best efforts of Queens, the Orchard County held on for the win.

In Group C, Cavan claimed a 3-12 to 0-12 win.

Cavan led by 1-03 to 0-04 at half-time, with a goal coming in the opening minute of the game from Kevin Tierney. Goals from Tierney and Givney in the second half meant Cavan ran out easy winners.

Down ran out winners in their 1-15 to 0-07 win over UUJ.

UUJ started strong thanks to scores from Antrim's Niall McKeever and Down's Paul McPolin, but Down registered five unanswered points. Down lead by 0-07 to 0-03 at the interval. Down started the second half strong despite the hard work from UUJ's Caolan O'Boyle, Danny Savage and Danny McClean. Down were deserving of  their 11-point win.