Derry into McKenna Cup final after victory over Armagh

Derry 0-17 

Armagh 2-7 

Champions Derry booked their spot in next Saturday’s McKenna Cup with victory over an experimental Armagh side on Saturday night. 

Shane McGuigan led the charge with 10 points but it was Derry’s response to both Armagh goals that paved their way to victory. 

Conor Doherty hit the opening score straight from the throw-in with McGuigan adding another in the fourth minute. 

Cormac Murphy marked his debut with a Derry score before a 12th minute opening Armagh point from a Sean Conlon mark. 

The home side were level with Justin Kieran and Ben Crealey points before they hit the lead with a goal from Conlon. 

Derry’s response was instant with the first of three McGuigan points as they were back on level terms (0-7 to 1-4) by half time. 

Two McGuigan points edged Derry into the lead early in the second half before the second Armagh goal, this time from Ben Crealey after Cian McConville had his initial shot saved by Odhrán Lynch. 

Points from McGuigan and a curler from Paudi McGrogan had Derry in front before the latter saw a shot ping off the bar. 

Derry had a further chance but Gareth McKinless was denied by Hughes. 

A fisted Oisin O’Neill point put the Orchard County 2-7 to 0-12 ahead with their last score of the game. 

Scores from Paul Cassidy, Eoin McEvoy and McGuigan pushed Derry on their way to victory. 

Mickey Harte’s side play the winners of Sunday’s second semi-final between Down and Donegal in next Saturday’s final. 

Derry: Odhran Lynch; Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy (0-1), Chrissy McKaigue; Conor Doherty (0-1), Gareth McKinless, Paudi McGrogan (0-1); Dan Higgins (0-1), Brendan Rogers; Donncha Gilmore, Declan Cassidy, Paul Cassidy (0-1); Ben McCarron, Shane McGuigan (0-10, 8f), Cormac Murphy (0-2) 

Subs: Niall Toner for D Cassidy (45), Niall Loughlin for B McCarron (45), Ruairi Forbes for D Higgins (67), Niall O’Donnell for C Murphy (71) 

Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Tomas McCormack, Ciaran Higgins, Sean Conlon (1-2, 1m); Connaire Mackin, Niall Rowland, Mark Shields; Ben Crealey (1-1), Callum O’Neill (Belleek); Ciaron O’Hanlon, Joe Sheridan, Justin Kieran (0-1); Cian McConville, Oisin O’Neill (0-3, 2f), Darragh McMullan 

Subs: Jarly Óg Burns for J Sheridan (45), Daniel Magee for B Crealey (66), Michael McConville for S Conlon (68) 

Referee: Pat Clarke (Cavan)