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McKenna Cup: Lee Brennan rescues a 1-9 to 0-12 draw for UU against Fermanagh

Fermanagh's Conall Jones scored the only goal of the game
Lee Brennan scored five unanswered points for Ulster University to snatch a draw against Fermanagh in their opening game of the McKenna Cup.

The Tyrone forward led the visitors to an dramatic 1-9 to 0-12 draw.

Conall Jones' goal at the start of the second half had put the Ernesiders six points clear after an impressive first-half scoring display by Darragh McGurn.

Brennan's closing salvo sparked an unlikely UU recovery as Fermanagh faded in the difficult conditions.

Managers express reservations over rule changes
A good platform for the League

In the other game on the opening weekend of the McKenna Cup, Armagh will begin their campaign on Sunday when they host St Mary's at Crossmaglen.

"We've drawn really good opponents and it will give us a good platform for the League," said Armagh's Aidan Forker.

"We're in Division Two this year so it's another step up from where we were last year.

"You can train all you want but the games will help us see what stage we're at"

Donegal, who beat Tyrone last February to win their first McKenna Cup in eight years, will begin their title defence against Queens on 30 December at Ballybofey.

Brennan leads UU recovery

Trillick corner-forward Brennan got the opening score of the game for UU at Derrygonnelly but Rory Gallagher's Fermanagh side dominated the first half.

The powerful McGurn scored five points to give the home side the lead by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break although they had needed a fine save by goalkeeper Thomas Treacy to deny Cormac O'Hagan from scoring an early goal.

Minutes after the restart Jones flicked the ball into the net from Eoin Donnelly's pass and this year's beaten Ulster finalists seemed set to power clear.

But Fermanagh only managed one further point in the closing 28 minutes as Daniel Kerr and Steven Fegan added scores for UU before Brennan's closing fireworks.

Fermanagh: T Treacy; J Cassidy, T Daly, C McManus; K McDonnell, D McCusker, L Cullen; R Lyons, U Kelm; R O'Callaghan, R Jones, T Clarke; D Teague, C Jones, D McGurn.

Ulster University: T McConville; M Magee, M McKernan, S Fegan; D Gallagher, M McEvoy, P Durcan; T O'Brien, P Teague; N Donnelly, C O'Hagan, J Doherty; L Brennan, D Kerr, L Harney.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gaelic-games/46551713

Dear GAA
Can you please tell me me how Tyrone can play on the 15th when they are not allowed to return to training or fixtures until 1st of Jan? Will the GAA be charged with breaking there own rules! Fairly obvious Tyrone will be back training prior so will they face the same sanctions as Wexford and Armagh

I'm hearing it's all part of the back stop

Group A
Donegal
Cavan
Down
QUB

Group B
Antrim
Monaghan
Armagh
St Mary's

Group C
Derry
Fermanagh
Tyrone
UU Jordanstown

McKenna Cup
The 2019 Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup launch takes place on Wednesday 5th December at 6.30pm in the Europa Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7AP. 

2019 Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup
All Sunday games at 2:00pm; All midweek games at 8:00pm.

30th Dec (Sun): Round 1
6th Jan (Sun): Round 2
9th Jan (Wed): Round 3
13th Jan (Sun): Semi Finals                       
19th Jan (Sat) Final   
N.B.   All Fixtures potentially should be considered as floodlit games.

[see many pubs]

Great coverage and quality from the live feed. No issues at all with it.

Whatever about the ins and outs of teamtalk issue, I'd say it was certainly worth the £8 to watch both games from the comfort of my own home. I see many pubs around about were advertising that they were showing the matches so I'd say they were delighted.

Did the pubs have a beer glass sign in the corner of the screen?

[Gets his irregular verbs wrong]

Ronnie Whelan is an awful pain in the arse.

Mispronounces so many words.
Gets his irregular verbs wrong
I hate listening to him

What done he did?
He's not easily understanded I'll gave/give you that

Dave McIntyre.

I thought some of the black card calls were worthy of debate. Reilly's late foul was very close to a drag down. So he though the McAliskey effort went in, big deal. He made a mistake. Compared to Canning, Cairney and Carr, I know who I'd prefer.

Who is Sky's primary commentator? David someone. He's absolutely terrible and it's like he's watching a different game at times.

They made some absolute howlers last night. Wrong player names, not knowing what constitutes a black/yellow card and let's not get started on the Mcaliskey "goal" from out the field.

Yes but when he started rambling on about his surprise as to why the guys who got red cards in normal time had not reappeared for the extra time it showed that he does needs to brush up on the rules a bit 😂

Ronan oneill out of necessity will come on and win it!

Called it! Only for the sending off and Cathal McShane's equalising point Ronan probably wouldn't have got on at all. As chance after chance was spurned throughout the match it was great to see a bit of composure at last in front of the goals. With the good weather he probably didn't need his gloves anyway 😂

I fancy Donegal to make it to the final and then sweep Fermanagh aside for an Ulster victory.

So I predict:

Tyrone 1-12 Meath 007

I expect Tyrone to be shaken but not stirred.

Tyrone just need to pack a few extra bandages for this one. How many blood subs can you have in one match?

[Connections must be very disappointed]

Mendelssohn made no show at all. Connections must be very disappointed.

Any thoughts on the Fourth in the Guineas First in the Derby saying?
Elarqam needs a bit more distance according to Mark Johnson. 25/1 for Epsom

Going officially "muck and clabber"

Anyone know if it's my brown bin or black bin that goes out tonight?

Which one was it?

Reeds fade shot looks fragile. Let's hope it gets him into trouble on Sunday.

If Rory does not win then I would much rather it was Ricki, than Reed.

Really looking forward to it Masters Sunday has a way of getting into the head of leaders and it's not so often that they can get over the line!!

I think Rory will be very happy to be playing Reed today the match play aspect should suit him and I think chasing will suit him better than leading.

I thought Reid owned Rory in the Ryder Cup head to head. He won't mind playing with Rory either.

Whats Monaghans record like in Omagh?

If Monaghan have a poor championship will O'Rourke be under pressure if Monaghan have a poor championship? Seems like Monaghan have added a lot more strength to their panel from the little I've seen of them.

In a recent game in Omagh they shot the lights out