DONEGAL KNOW if they avoid defeat against Cavan on Wednesday night in Ballybofey they will make the semi-finals of the Dr McKenna Cup.
Section A
Declan Bonner’s team are two wins from two, as are the Breffni County following their comprehensive victory over Queen’s University this afternoon. Donegal ran out winners by a 10-point margin over Down in Newry. With the best runner-up in the three sections also making the last four, Donegal might even benefit from the reprieve if needed, thanks to their two sizeable wins.
However, that is more a possibility than a probability, with Armagh looking the strongest of the all the sides involved by some distance. For Donegal to lose to Cavan and still edge in as best of the rest, they’ll need Armagh to win Section B, which means getting a result at home to Monaghan. See below …
Results – Sunday December 30
Donegal 0-21 Queen’s 0-11; Cavan 0-13 Down 1-9
Sunday January 6
Down 0-10 Donegal 1-17; Cavan 0-17 Queen’s 0-3
Fixtures – Wednesday January 9
Donegal v Cavan; Down v Queen’s
| Pos. | Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donegal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 21 | 4 |
| 2 | Cavan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 15 | 4 |
| 3 | Down | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 33 | 0 |
| 4 | Queens University Belfast | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 38 | 0 |
Section B
Armagh are currently in pole position having following up their hammering of St Mary’s with a good win in Antrim today. However, Kieran McGeeney’s side have Monaghan breathing down their necks on three points. Surprisingly, the 2013 and 2015 Ulster champions were held to a draw today by St Mary’s.
A win for the team managed by Malachy O’Rourke at the Athletic Grounds on Wednesday night will see them top the section. Armagh’s massive points average means they might lose but would remain favourites for the best runners-up spot. However, if Armagh win or even draw against Monaghan it means the best second-placed qualifier could come from Section A.
Results – Sunday December 16
Armagh 6-17 St Mary’s 17
Saturday December 29
Monaghan 1-20 Antrim 1-12
Sunday January 6
Monaghan 14 St Mary’s 0-17; Antrim 1-10 Armagh 2-21
Fixtures – Wednesday January 9
Antrim v St Mary’s; Armagh v Monaghan
| Pos. | Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Armagh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 23 | 4 |
| 2 | Monaghan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 32 | 3 |
| 3 | St Mary’s University College | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | 52 | 1 |
| 4 | Antrim | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 28 | 50 | 0 |
Section C
Tyrone have nine toes in the semi-final as a consequence of their vastly superior scoring average and of course, their two victories to date.
Even in the event of Mickey Harte’s troops getting overturned on home soil against Fermanagh on Wednesday night, they are unlikely to be pipped by Derry, who would need a landslide success over the University of Ulster to keep their interest in the competition going. Derry don’t look like they can bridge the gap, even if they win against University of Ulster, to the second-placed sides in Sections A and B.
Results – Saturday December 15
Fermanagh 1-9 University of Ulster 0-12
Thursday December 20
Derry 0-11 Tyrone 0-20
Sunday January 6
Fermanagh 2-7 Derry 3-8; Tyrone 21-4 University of Ulster 1-9
Fixtures – Wednesday January 9
Tyrone v Fermanagh; Derry v University of Ulster
| Pos. | Team | P | W | L | D | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyrone | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 23 | 4 |
| 2 | Derry | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 33 | 2 |
| 3 | Fermanagh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 29 | 1 |
| 4 | Ulster University | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 32 | 1 |
Semi-finals and final
With the winners of Section A down to play a semi-final against the team that tops Section B this coming Sunday, January 13, the likelihood is the whoever loses between Donegal and Cavan will have to keep an eye on developments at the Athletic Grounds, where Monaghan travel to Armagh. A draw win Ballybofey will send both Donegal and Cavan through.
If there’s a winner of any sort in Ballybofey, Armagh, if they lose, will still be firm favourites to get the best runners-up spot. A draw against Monaghan means Kieran McGeeney’s team will win the section with Monaghan’s record then to be compared directly with the loser in Ballybofey. The winners of Section C is almost certainly going to be Tyrone and they will meet the side with the best second-placed record.
The final is set to be played on the weekend of January 19/20.
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