Derry and Antrim through to semis as Breffni eases fixture pile-up

THE NEW 3G Astroturf pitch at Kingspan Breffni Park alleviated some of the congestion in the Dr McKenna Cup over the weekend after a spate of postponements in earlier weeks left the fixtures’ department of the Ulster Council scratching their heads.

Cavan’s county ground played host to two games over the weekend and the competition has finally begun to take shape. Antrim and Derry have qualified for the semi-finals, although the two other places in the last four will not be confirmed until Section A, which includes Tyrone, Donegal, Fermanagh and University of Ulster Jordanstown, is resolved. Fermanagh manager John O’Neill has endured a frustrating start to the new campaign and when Brewster Park in Enniskillen was frozen on Saturday evening, it was the Erne County’s fourth consecutive postponement in the competition. However, an agreement was made to switch to Cavan yesterday evening.

Fermanagh’s Hugh Bradley kicked a last minute point to make it 0-15 to 1-12. UUJ looked to be in control, 1-10 to 0-7 in front at the start of the second period with Mattie Donnelly their goalscorer in first half stoppage time. Tomas Corrigan, who scored five points for Fermanagh, helped salvage a draw, while UUJ’s Jason McAnulla was sent off for two bookings midway through the second half.