McGourty pounces with late winner for Antrim

CJ McGourty rescued Antrim with a 70th minute winning point to beat St Mary’s 1-7 to 0-9 in yesterday’s McKenna Cup tie in Creggan.

The Saffrons, under new manager Frank Fitzsimons, looked to be well in control when they led 1-3 to 0-3 at half time.

However the students fought back and were level as the Section C tie in Creggan approached injury time, before McGourty popped up with the winner.

In a rare moment of quality in a mediocre game, James Lavery capitalised on good work from McGourty and Conor Murray to neatly finish the only goal before half time.

Down’s Jerome Johnston kept St Mary’s in the game with his accuracy from placed balls until McGourty’s late winner.

In Section B, Fermanagh had an easier afternoon against Queen’s University, beating James McCartan’s students by 1-13 to 0-9 in Brewster Park, Sean Quigley top-scoring with 1-5.

Monaghan survived a late comeback from Ulster University before winning (0-20 to 2-10) in Castleblayney on Saturday.

The hosts led 0-17 to 0-8 with ten minutes remaining. However two goals in three minutes from Derry forward Caolan O’Boyle cut the deficit to two points.

Daniel McKenna and newcomer Brendan McElroy eased the home side’s nerves with late points to steer Monaghan to victory in Section A.