Holders Derry book McKenna Cup final spot after Armagh win

Armagh 2-07 Derry 0-17

Derry booked their place in the Dr McKenna Cup final with a four-point victory over Armagh at the Box-IT Athletic Grounds on Saturday.

Shane McGuigan scored 10 of their 17-point tally - eight from frees - and despite a battling display from Armagh, including a well-taken goal from corner-back Sean Conlon who made his debut in this competition, Mickey Harte's team were worthy winners and will be glad of another competitive game before they take on Kerry in the Allianz League.

Derry dominated the first quarter of the game but still only led 0-04 to 0-01 after 15 minutes. Armagh were level four minutes later and Conlon’s goal put Kieran McGeeney’s men in front for the first time in the game, but three points from McGuigan levelled the scoreboard once more with the sides tied 1-04 to 0-07 at the break.

Another Armagh goal in the second half kept them in the game, but Derry took their points well and despite missing a few goal chances of their own, thanks in part to a couple of great saves by Armagh 'keeper Blaine Hughes, held on for the win.

Conor Doherty opened the scoring for Derry in the second minute and McGuigan doubled their lead three minutes later. Armagh were trying to build from the back, with Hughes, like his counterpart Odhran Lynch, happy to roam up the field from his goal.

That almost cost Armagh dearly when a turnover saw Cormac Murphy burst forward and off load to Diarmuid Baker, but Hughes had raced back on time and managed to smother Baker’s scuffed goal effort on the floor.

Murphy pointed after that to make it three unanswered points for the Oak Leafers, but Ciaran O’Hanlon opened the scoring for Armagh from a mark in the 12th minute and traded points between Dan Higgins and Oisin O’Neill