High drama in Dr McKenna Cup ties

Donegal, Antrim, Derry and Armagh claimed opening round wins in the Dr McKenna Cup tonight.

Goals in either half were vital as Antrim gained a 2-12 to 0-9 victory over St Mary's at a rain-swept Casement Park.

Liam Bradley's charges were in superb form throughout and led by 1-7 to 0-2 at half-time, with Dean O'Neill netting a 32nd-minute goal.

The Naomh Enda half-forward bagged the vital three-pointer after winning possession from a kick-out, setting off on a solo run and slotting the ball to the net from 21 metres.

The Saffrons made a bight start with five of their forwards on target before the break. Paddy Cunningham, Conor McGourty, Mark Sweeney and Terry O'Neill were amongst the first half scorers.

Ciaran Campbell and Benny Herron kept St Mary's in touch, and the teaching college dug deep on the restart. Paddy Tally's side landed the first two points of the second half with Tyrone's Kevin Mossey and Mark McKenna on target.

A Paddy Cunningham score gave Antrim a 1-7 to 0-4 lead in the 41st minute, but St Mary's continued to lay down a marker.

Midfielder McKenna kicked his second point of the half, before substitute Oisin MacIomhair slotted over a free to leave the scoreline at 1-7 to 0-6 as the game entered the final quarter.

The teams swapped points, before a third point from McGourty extended the hosts lead to five points. Then an Antrim goal, after the students' goalkeeper Ronan McAnenly misjudged up a dipping Kevin Niblock shot, sealed the issue late on.

Meanwhile, Jimmy McGuinness got his Donegal managerial reign off to a winning start as they beat UUJ 0-14 to 0-10 at a sparsely-attended MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey.

The hosts led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time thanks to a decent first half showing. The sides were well matched in the opening 12 minutes, with Mattie Donnelly getting the students off the mark before Ryan Bradley claimed an equaliser.

Dermot Molloy and Peter Hughes traded points, before Donegal opened up a 0-7 to 0-3 lead approaching the interval. UUJ gained some momentum in the closing stages of the half with Caolan O'Boyle cutting the deficit to three points at the break.

Donnelly bagged the opening score of the second half for the students, however, a trio of scores - including a brace of points from Molloy - helped open up a 0-10 to 0-5 lead in the 45th minute.

Scores came at fast pace from both sides, with Donegal armed with a 0-12 to 0-8 lead with 10 minutes remaining. And despite a resilient UUJ display, the Tir Chonaill men held out for a well-merited win.

At Pairc Esler in Newy, Benny Coulter scored two goals for Down, but it was not enough as Armagh fought their way to a slender 2-15 to 3-11 win.

Former Mayo footballer Billy Joe Padden made a second half appearance as a substitute for the Orchard County in a game which hung in the balance until the very end.

Armagh impressively burst out of the blocks to claim an early 0-8 to 0-1 advantage. Rory Grugan knocked over three first half points for the visitors, with Brian Mallon, Colm Watters and Joe Feeney also among their scorers.

However, beaten All-Ireland finalists Down hit back before the break. Peter Fitzpatrick claimed the only goal of the first half, while Conor Maginn, Benny Coulter and Ronan Murtagh struck points to level the contest at 1-6 to 0-9 at the interval.

More goals followed in the third quarter. Coulter found the net Down's second major, while Brian Mallon put his name to Armagh goal's. That left Down with a 2-11 to 1-10 advantage, with 15 minutes remaining.

Coulter added his second goal, but a late Anthony Duffy goal was enough to seal the match points for Armagh.

At Kingspan Breffni Park, Derry got their McKenna Cup campaign off to an impressive start thanks to a 1-12 to 1-10 triumph over Cavan.

John Brennan's men led by 0-11 to 0-3 at half-time with all of the Oak Leafers' scores coming from open play. Conleth Gilligan led the charge with five well-taken points from play in the opening half, with Paddy Bradley landing two points inside the opening 35 minutes.

Derry were dominant in all sectors in the opening period, and James Kielt was particularly impressive at midfield.

Cavan were dealt a major blow midway through the half as they lost their goalkeeper James Reilly through injury and he was replaced by David Ward.

Derry continued to perform strongly on the restart, but Cavan dug deep in the closing stages, holding the visitors to just 1-1 in the second half.

A late Michael Brennan goal put Cavan back into the frame, but Derry stood firm to register their first win of 2011.

A minute's silence was observed before all games as a mark of respect to the late Michaela McAreavey, daughter of Tyrone manager Mickey Harte.

Barrett Lighting Dr McKenna Cup:

Donegal 0-14 UUJ 0-10, MacCumhaill Park

Cavan 1-10 Derry 1-12, Kingspan Breffni Park

Down 3-11 Armagh 2-15, Newry

Antrim 2-12 St. Mary's 0-9, Casement Park