Section A
Monaghan 1-13 St Mary’s 2-6
Monaghan claimed a four-point victory in Clones after a scrappy affair in Malachy O’Rourke’s first game in charge of the Farney county.
Monaghan were ahead by 1-9 to 1-2 at half-time with Padraig Donaghy bagging their goal and Niall Sludden finding the net for the third-level outfit St Mary’s.
Antrim’s Brendan Herron fired home St Mary’s second goal after the break but with the likes of Conor McManus and Dick Clerkin impressing, Monaghan were able to prevail at the finish.
Monaghan are away to Donegal next Sunday in Ballybofey while St Mary’s will travel to Brewster Park in Enniskillen to face Fermanagh.
Section B
Down 1-11 Cavan 0-12
Substitute Liam Doyle made a vital scoring impact as Down defeated Cavan by two points in Kingspan Breffni Park yesterday. The Mayobridge player raised important white flags to enable James McCartan’s side to triumph.
Down got off to a splendid start as they welcomed Paul McComiskey back into their side after a long injury lay-off and he grabbed an early goal. But with Martin Dunne, who shot 0-9 overall, in superb form, Cavan drew level at 1-4 to 0-7 at the break.
Dunne and Gearoid McKiernan powered Cavan forward in the second-half but Benny Coulter and Doyle combined to ensure Down got over the finish line in front.
Cavan face a trip to the Athletic Grounds to meet Armagh next Sunday while Down are at home to Armagh in Páirc Esler in Newry on January 16th.
Section C
Tyrone 1-14 Derry 0-15
Substitute Conor McAliskey was the hero as the Clonoe player struck the match-winning goal for Tyrone in their meeting with Derry in Healy Park in Omagh yesterday.
The teams were tied at 0-7 apiece at half-time but Ryan Bell helped nudge Derry into a three-point lead. However Tyrone fought back and were inspired by Sean Cavanagh’s contribution in front of goal before McAliskey pounced for the critical goal.
Tyrone travel to Casement Park to face Antrim next Sunday while Derry entertain UUJ next Saturday night in Celtic Park.
Antrim’s Michael McCann with Gregory McGovern of UUJ. Pic: INPHO/Presseye/William Cherry
Antrim 1-15 UUJ 2-9
Frank Dawson got off to a winning start as Antrim boss in their clash with UUJ in Casement Park yesterday afternoon.
Antrim began brightly before Declan Lynch struck home a goal for Jordanstown. Yet Kevin O’Boyle responded with a goal for the Saffron County and they enjoyed a 1-10 to 1-3 lead at the interval.
Antrim had to withstand a second-half fightback by UUJ as Lynch was again on target in raising a green flag to cut the lead of Dawson’s side to four points. But Antrim held on to claim victory.
