Derry see off Armagh for McKenna Cup final berth
January 13, 2024
Derry's Declan Cassidy with Armagh's Darragh McMullan ©INPHO/John McVitty
Derry are through to next weekend’s Dr McKenna Cup final after battling past Armagh towards a 0-17 to 2-7 victory at the Athletic Grounds.
After an airtight opening 20 minutes at the Armagh venue, the sides were level on 0-4 apiece before Sean Conlon hammered the ball to the Derry net.
The Ulster champions responded with three points on the bounce from Shane McGuigan, who finished the game with 0-10 to his name, to draw things level come the interval.
McGuigan kept the points coming for the Oak Leafers after the turnaround with a brace, but it’d be erased by Ben Crealey punching in the rebound of Cian McConville’s effort on 38 minutes for the hosts to storm in front.
From there, Kieran McGeeney’s would only register three more points as McGuigan and Padraig McGrogan sailed over at the other end to steer Derry back in front.
Oisin O’Neill levelled the semi-final before Mickey Harte’s charges saw out the win via scores from Paul Cassidy, McGuigan (2) and Eoin McEvoy as they now get set to face either Donegal or Monaghan next Saturday for the title.
RESULT:@BankofIrelandUK McKenna Cup s-final@Armagh_GAA 2-07@Doiregaa 0-17
— Ulster GAA (@UlsterGAA) January 13, 2024
Derry secure their place in the final next weekend after a battling performance against the home side in Armagh#BOIMcKennaCup24 pic.twitter.com/5hUjb60xFS
Tweet#McKennaCup SF
— Orlagh Mullan (@OrlaghMullan) January 13, 2024
Full Time
Armagh: 2-7(13)
Derry: 0-17(17)
All over in Armagh and its the holders, Derry, who progress to the 2024 McKenna Cup final
Will meet the winners of Donegal v Monaghan, taking place tomorrow pic.twitter.com/z8RQvToSmd
