Fermanagh take spoils

AN inexperienced Donegal’s grip on the Dr McKenna Cup slipped on Saturday night when they went down at home to Fermanagh, who won their first game of the John O’Neill era.

The away win meant there was no need for the calculators as Cavan qualified as best runners-up and will now take on Tyrone, with the winner meeting Derry in the final.

Fermanagh’s Paul Ward, Paul McGrath, James Connolly and sub Tomas Corrigan all chipped in with scores, while Donegal’s most effective moments came from Adrian Hanlon and Jamie Doherty.

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness handed out seven senior inter-county debuts ahead of next weekend’s NFL opener against Sligo.

DONEGAL: P Boyle; T McKinley, E Doherty, F McGlynn; L Keaney, D Curran, K Cassidy; O Doherty, C Classon; P McNelis, J Doherty (0-2), O MacNiallais; A Hanlon (0-3, 1f) , R McErlean, M Boyle (0-1). Subs: K Lacey (0-1) for M Boyle (21) B Dunnion for McKinley, R Bradley for O Doherty (36), P McGrath for McGlynn (55), N McGee for Classon (57).

FERMANAGH: F Murphy; P Sherry, B Owens, M Jones; P McCusker, B Mulrone, T McElroy; H Brady, J Melarkey; P McGrath (0-3, 1f), K Cosgrove, N Cassidy; C Leonard, P Ward (0-4, 1f), J Connolly (0-2). Subs: C Quigley for P Sherry (20), T Corrigan (0-2, 1f) for Leonard (42), C Flaherty (0-1) for Cosgrove (47).

Referee: Martin McErlean (Derry).