Down secured their place in the semi-finals of Dr McKenna Cup after with a dominant 2-14 to 1-10 win over Donegal in Newry.

In what was Conor Laverty’s first home game in charge of the Mourne men, Liam Kerr and Conor Francis supplied the goals to lead their team towards a second win in four days.

Both goals came in the first-half for the hosts while Pat Havern weighed in with 0-5 from play, which was matched at the other by Paddy McBrearty (four frees).

Jamie Brennan had set-up Daire O Baoill for a palmed goal 10 minutes in but Down had the answer and took in a deserved 2-9 to 1-7 half-time lead before kicking on for the 10-point win.

In Portglenone, Cavan opened their 2023 campaign with a 2-10 to 0-9 victory against Antrim.

Veteran attacker Martin Reilly had the ball in the Saffrons’ net after eight minutes and they didn’t look back from there.

Another goal from Crosserlough’s Brandon Boylan sent them in at the Blues in at the break leading 2-5 to 0-6 and points from Killian Clarke and ‘keeper Liam Brady (free) helped them to pull away.

Dominic McEnhill’s frees took tarnish off the scoreline for the hosts and the full-time result leaves Mickey Graham’s looking for a win against Armagh for a place in the semi-finals.

In Section B, Derry came from behind to defeat Fermanagh by 0-11 to 1-4.

A goal from Garvan Jones sent Fermanagh in at half-time with a 1-2 to 0-4 lead but Derry – minus the services of their Glen contingent – got motoring in the second period.

Niall Loughlin and Shane McGuigan each landed a brace of points, while the host were reduced to just two points at the other end.

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