Down book semi-final spot

DOWN’S form in Ulster has been impressive and last night they sealed a place in the Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals where they take on Derry.

The team managed by James McCartan, who already opened the New Year with fine wins over Armagh and Monaghan, drew with St Mary’s in Newry. Down led 1-4 to 0-4 at the interval, Kalum King the first-half goalscorer, but St Mary’s came back to earn a 1-5 to 0-8 draw.

Derry’s two wins from two put them in an unassailable position and a Conleith Gilligan penalty in the third minute set them on their way to a 1-8 to 0-9 win in Ballybofey against Donegal, whose top scorer was Dermot Molloy with six points.