McKenna Cup 2024

[never kickt a ball]

Armagh 3-6 0-12 Queen's

Armagh secured their second victory in Section C of the Gaelic Life McKenna Cup with a 3-6 to 0-12 win over Queen's at Lurgan on Sunday afternoon. Queen's led 0-10 to 0-2 at the interval but Armagh replied with a goal by Ronan Clarke and then two goals from Ryan Henderson in the last seven minutes. James Kielt scored 0-5 for Queen's and Charlie Vernon contributed 0-2. The students face Antrim in their final group match on Wednesday night while Armagh travel to Cavan next Saturday. Trailing by eight points at half-time, Clarke brought the Orchard county back into Sunday's match with a goal 12 minutes into the second half and then turned provider by supplying the ammunition for Henderson's goals. Three yellow cards were dished out in the game, to Paul Courtney of Queen's in the first half, and Armagh's Martin O'Rourke and Brendan Donaghy in the second. Armagh have four points from their two games, Queen's and Cavan have two and Antrim have yet to open their account.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7823103.stm

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Bit a good old fashioned robbery at Davitt Park today.  Queens totally bossed the game until the last 10 mins when a bad goalkeeping error gave Armagh the boost they so badly needed.  Ryan Henderson was the stand out Armagh player contributing 2-3 or 2-4, the only other Armagh players worth a mention are Clarke, Miceal O'Rourke and maybe Gareth Smyth in defence.  It was pretty awful stuff from Armagh and apart from Henderson's performance little to offer hope for the forthcoming season.

Queens on the other hand were excellent and moved the ball tremendously well at times and should have won the game by half a dozen pts.  Vernon was excellent until fading late on scored 0-2 and also won at least 3 frees from his strong running that brought scores, James Kielt and McGoldrick? were also very very good.

Second half was very enjoyable. Wind played a part. I thought Vince and Vernon had a nice battle with Vernon's two points probably just giving him the nod. Thought Marty was very good until he got the yellow. Smyth was excellent in defence and hardly put a foot wrong. Henderson was the stand out forward although Micheal done very well, won a lot of ball and was decent at the frees.

Young Rafferty also played well and Clarke showed a touch of class at times.

Come one Corn I'll accept a bit of club bias but Vernon just getting the nod over Vincie Martin?! Charlie completely bossed midfield and was easily the best player on the pitch. Hopefully its good news from an Armagh perspective and I'd like to see him given a run at midfield in the League.

As for Armagh, we were very very fortunate to get a victory in a game dominated by the wind. Henderson did very well, particularly in the first half getting both of Armagh's scores while against the breeze and deprived of possesion - didn't have much to do for either of the goals but he was in the right place at the right time. Definitely deserves a run of games in the league. Apart from that Michael O'Rourke did alright and was accurate from frees and Ronan Clarke showed the odd touch of class. Very average performance though. McEvoy had very little to do on his debut but fluffed a couple of early kick outs. Couldn't judge him yet. Marty O'Rourke was lucky to stay on the pitch as long as he did. With these new rules, he's really going to have to curb the petulant side to his performances.

[corn02]

Yeah fair enough TAC, reading all other posts I was probably a bit harsh on Vernon. I was in late so missed his first point, Was more wtahcing Vince than Vernon and Vince done ok and burst through a lot of challenges and caught a bit so was basing it on that. But Vernon did stand out a lot. Potential midfielder this year?

[The Corporal]

Any1 post the Queens starting line up from yesterday?

[nrico2006]

Good to see Tyrone back in action, although not much was expected of a team made up largely of fringe players and most of whom were only back from the team holiday.  In particular, brilliant to see SON back in action and scoring against a Down side with many championship regulars.   I am glad lessons have been learnt from the past few years with regard to how MH views the McKenna cup.

[Minder]

Good to see Tyrone back in action, although not much was expected of a team made up largely of fringe players and most of whom were only back from the team holiday.  In particular, brilliant to see SON back in action and scoring against a Down side with many championship regulars.  I am glad lessons have been learnt from the past few years with regard to how MH views the McKenna cup.

In what way Nrico?

[under the bar]

Stevie O'Neill racked up 7 out of Tyrone's 9 points?   That stat is even better than a win!

[SidelineKick]

Stevie O'Neill racked up 7 out of Tyrone's 9 points?   That stat is even better than a win!

Many frees?

[tyrone86]

Stevie O'Neill racked up 7 out of Tyrone's 9 points?   That stat is even better than a win!

7 seems a bit high. From memory, McGuigan got 2, Mannies got 1 and Big Sean got 1.

[SidelineKick]

From BBC:

Down 0-16 0-9 Tyrone 

Down's Paul Murphy is challenged by Tyrone's Michael McGee
Holders Down hit nine unanswered points in the second half to beat jetlagged Tyrone in Sunday's Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup clash at Newry.

The sides were level at 0-6 apiece at the break but after moving 0-8 to 0-7 ahead, Tyrone folded as Down reeled off the decisive scores.

Michael Magee hit four Down points with John Fegan, Danny Hughes, Hugh Davey and Benny Coulter also adding scorers.

Stephen O'Neill top-scored for Tyrone with seven points.

Three of O'Neill's points came in the opening half with Tommy McGuigan and Gareth Devlin also on target for the Red Hands.

The 3,750 spectators were treated to some tight exchanges early on as Hugh Davey hit two Down points while Magee and impressive midfielder Joseph Ireland also contributed scores.

Sean Cavanagh started at centre half-back for Tyrone while the starting line-up also included regulars John Devine, Davy Harte and Kevin Hughes.

Ronan Sexton had a goal chance for the Mourne men before the break but the ball was deflected wide for a 45.

Tyrone's Tommy McGuigan didn't reappear for the second half but the Red Hands started brightly with points from O'Neill and Cavanagh helping them move 0-8 to 0-7 ahead.

At that stage, Peter Donnelly and Cavanagh were doing well in the middle third of field but all of a sudden, the Tyrone tank seemed empty as Down took complete control.

Magee, John Fegan (0-3), sub Coulter (0-2) and John Boyle were all among the scorers as Down struck their nine unanswered points.

Davey and Conor Garvey were impressing in the Down defence while Ireland, Magee and Fegan were all causing their markers major problems.

O'Neill had the final scoring say in injury-time as Tyrone ended a 25-minute scoring drought.

The victory moves Down on to four points in Section B and a draw in their final game against Monaghan will be enough to guarantee a semi-final place.




Couldn't tell you how accurate that is.

[cornerback]

Derry 0-10 0-13 UUJ

UUJ beat Derry 0-13 to 0-10 in Sunday's Gaelic Life McKenna Cup Section A game at Ballinascreen.Derry led 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time but UUJ fought back to win and put a major dent in Derry's hopes of making the semi-finals of the competition.Ciaran Donnelly scored eight points from frees for UUJ, three in the first half and five in the second period, and they next play Fermanagh on Wednesday. Seamus Bradley top-scored for Derry with three frees. The Oak Leafers drew their opening game against Fermanagh last week and now face Donegal next Sunday with only one point from their opening two fixtures. Adrian McGuckin's UUJ side lost to Donegal last week but still have a chance to qualify as they prepare to head to Enniskillen on Wednesday night.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7823093.stm

Well that isn't right either, he did get three frees but he also scored two from play

[nrico2006]

Previously MH would have played alot of the bigger Tyrone players and this has came back to haunt Tyrone throughout the season with lots of the key players picking up injuries etc.  In 2006 and 2007 Tyrone were flying in the McKenna Cup but seemed to go downhill as the season wore on - it could be a coincidence, or maybe not.  I'm not saying that the McKenna Cup is entirely responsible, but there is enough football to be played with the league and its important to rest a certain number of key players when the chance is there.  Its a good opportunity for MH to run his eyes over fringe players or newcomers also and give returning players like SON some valuable game time.

[downredblack]

Good to see Tyrone back in action, although not much was expected of a team made up largely of fringe players and most of whom were only back from the team holiday.  In particular, brilliant to see SON back in action and scoring against a Down side with many championship regulars.    I am glad lessons have been learnt from the past few years with regard to how MH views the McKenna cup.

Harte started 7 or 8 established county players and brought on a few more ,  Probably the same as Down .

[lfdown2]

Mickey Harte called on 11 of the all-ireland winning side according to RTE, of Down's 15+ yesterday about 9 played championship football last year (open to correction)

[Orior]

Mickey Harte called on 11 of the all-ireland winning side according to RTE, of Down's 15+ yesterday about 9 played championship football last year (open to correction)

Did Michaela get a run out?