McKenna Cup 2024

[give her dixie]

Ronan O'Neill adds another point for Tyrone

[bennydorano]

Who won other semi?

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

Who won other semi?

Doire

[Oak Leafer]

McKenna Cup semi final at The Athletic Grounds, Armagh
Derry 0-11 Down 0-09
If John Brennan's aim was to get the maximum amount of competitive games before the start of the league, then he has succeeded. Five points from Man-of-the-Match Conleith Gilligan, alongside an impressive first start of the year for Paddy Bradley, ensured Derry remained unbeaten in 2012.
Playing into a strong breeze in what was an uneventful first half, Derry opened the scoring through Paddy Bradley who then combined with Gilligan for the latter to score Derry's second point. Aidan Carr then brought Down back into the game with two frees to leave the sides tied on 0-02 each after 20mins.
Down then started to make the most of the wind at their backs to push two points ahead, one of which was from the well advanced full-back, Dan Gordon. The switch of Cailean O'Boyle had an immediate effect after the big Lavey man claimed a terrific catch to set Mark Lynch off on a run goal-ward. Lynch fed Bradley who again was fouled. The breeze proved no obstacle to Paddy as he duely converted to leave just one between them at half time. Derry 0-03 Down 0-04.
In the second half, Derry played some composed football. Quick to get numbers back to defend and quick to work the ball from defence, Brennan's boys levelled after 38mins thanks to a massive effort from 50m by Mark Lynch. With Forester providing strong running and the inside line of O'Boyle, Bradley and Gilligan tormenting their opponents, Derry worked the ball around the Down sweeper to go 0-06 to 0-04 up thanks to points from Gilligan (1 from play, 1 free).
Another clean catch from O'Boyle on the '50′, and a quick one-two with Sean Leo McGoldrick presented O'Boyle with the chance to put Derry three up, a chance he took with style. Again it was left to Down's top scorer, Aidan Carr, to bring Down back into the game. The Clonduff man hit two frees to put just a single point between the sides with 56mins gone.
Derry responded through Gilligan from a free after O'Boyle proved too much of a handful for his marker. With Derry looking composed they played some intricate patterns of play resulting in Gerard O'Kane firing over his first point of the game to stretch his sides lead to three. Bradley continued to pose major problems for Down and the pressure told when the Glenullin pointed from a free after being fouled. Derry led by four with 7 mins to play.
Time after time Down's threat of Coulter and co were thwarted by some excellent defending in numbers with the full back line of Dillon, Morrow and McCallion looking strong and being bolstered by retreating players.
Frustration boiled over for Down as Kallum King received a straight red card for a kicking offence. Down would score two points to keep Oak Leaf fans anxious to the finish. However, the game ended shortly after with 3 minutes of additional time played out to see Derry advance to a second McKenna Cup final in two years.
So far, so good...
D Devlin, B McCallion, L Morrow, R Dillon, SL McGoldrick, G O'Kane (0-01), C McKaigue, J McCamley, J Diver, B McGoldrick, M Lynch (0-01), N Forester, P Bradley (0-03), C O'Boyle (0-01), C Gilligan (0-05).
Subs: Conway for McCamley, K O'Neill for J Diver, E McGuckin for M Lynch

[Oak Leafer]

Does anyone know when final is scheduled for? Next Sunday?

[give her dixie]

Wonderful goal from Owen Mulligan, followed up with a point from Ronan O'Neill

Tyrone 1-09 Fermanagh 1-03

[Fuzzman]

That's 1.01 he has isn't
Competition for places hotting up nicely
Look like Kildare could win the O'Byrne cup as they beat the Dubs today.
Could be an interesting game in a few weeks

[give her dixie]

10 mins left

Tyrone 1-09  Fermanagh 1-04

Final next Saturday night, venue to be confirmed later

[Captain Obvious]

Game of two halves by the sounds of it.

[Fuzzman]

Yes as I predicted last night
I think Mickey prefers to come from behind and win games that way.

Yes I know its not over yet.
When and where is the final against the inbreds? 

[Oak Leafer]

Back to the Athletic Grounds i would assume

[give her dixie]

Michael Murphy scores a point and Tyrone go 6 points in front

[applemad]

Any word on attendance?

[Fuzzman]

Tyrone 1-10 Fermanagh 1-04
Michael Murphy scores a point and Tyrone go 6 points in front.
Michael Murphy replaces Niall McKenna

Wonder how how McKenna played
Is McNabb out injured again?
I'd say Lafferty is dying to get on or will look forward to getting Derry next.

GOAL..... Ronan O'Neill scores a goal for Tyrone

[Fuzzman]

Ronan O'Neill adds another point

Mark Donnelly named man of the match

Michael Murphy scores his 2nd point for Tyrone