WHILE round one of the Dr McKenna Cup brought us drama, excitement and uncertainty right until the final whistle, mismatches were very much on the menu for yesterday’s second set of fixtures.
There were four one-point successes and an average winning margin of 1.83 points last weekend. Yesterday, by contrast, saw four double-digit wins and an average winning margin of 10.67 points.
The biggest of those victories came in Glenavy where Monaghan destroyed Antrim 2-20 to 0-9 with Colin Walshe and Shane Carey netting for the Farneymen in their Section B clash.
It was almost an identical scoreline at the Athletic Grounds in Section A as Ethan Rafferty and Anto Duffy scored goals in Armagh’s 2-19 to 0-9 win over Queen’s.
In a further boost for the Orchard county, Jamie Clarke made his return to the inter-county scene after his stint in America with the Crossmaglen man replacing Ben Crealey in the second half to one of the biggest cheers of the day.
After their 25-game unbeaten Dr McKenna Cup run came to an end against Cavan last Sunday, Tyrone responded in emphatic style as they had 13 points to spare against Ulster University at Carrickmore.
Niall McKenna and Ronan McHugh scored the goals for Mickey Harte’s side with Niall Madine fisting to the net for the students.
The Red Hands will still enter Wednesday’s final Section C games chasing though as Cavan made it two wins from two as a storming second-half performance saw them ease past Donegal in Ballybofey, 2-14 to 1-6.
Like the three other double-digits victors, Mattie McGleenan’s side raised two green flags with Rory Dunne and Paul O’Connor profiting in a final 35 minutes that yielded 2-9 for the Breffni county.
Keeping to the theme of winning teams scoring two goals, Fermanagh kept their Section B hopes alive with a 2-13 to 0-13 win over St Mary’s at Brewster Park.
Team captain Eoin Donnelly found the net early on before the returning Daryl Keenan sealed the issue in the final quarter.
The one match that did resemble last week’s results took place in Newry as Down made it two wins on the trot following a 0-15 to 0-14 win over Derry in Section A.
The result means that Eamonn Burns now has more wins already this season compared to last year when a January victory over St Mary’s was the only time his side avoided defeat.
Dr McKenna Cup results
Section A
Down 0-15 Derry 0-14
Armagh 2-19 Queen’s University 0-9
Section B
Antrim 0-9 Monaghan 2-20
Fermanagh 2-13 St Mary’s 0-13
Section C
Donegal 1-6 Cavan 2-14
Tyrone 2-17 Ulster University 1-7
