Derry claim a welcome O’Fiaich Cup win

A James Kearney point deep into extra game maintained Derry’s one hundred percent record in the revived O’Fiaich Cup final at Crossmaglen on Sunday.

Playing into a strong and icy breeze first half, Derry went into the break level at 0-07 thanks to a penalty save by Thomas Mallon from Armagh’s Jamie Clarke.

Second half goals from Mark Lynch and substitute Declan Mullan gave Derry a winning platform denied only a late flurry of Armagh points to claim a draw after 70mins.

With the light fading fast, two periods of five mins were played in which Peter Cassidy opened the scoring. With Armagh edging in front with two points, it was left to a Benny Heron ’45 to tie up the game before nineteen year James Kearney hit the winner.

Overall, manager Brian McIver was pleased to have taken part in the competition describing it as ‘a useful and welcome exercise’.

‘We’ve had the chance to give lads an opportunity in this competition and it has worked out well. We’ll continue to do that in the McKenna Cup. Everyone will get their chance.’

Derry’s opening McKenna Cup game against Monaghan is on Sunday 5 Jan at Clones.

Scorers — Derry: M Lynch 1-2 (1f), B Heron 0-3 (1f), D Mullan 1-0, J Kielt, E Lynn 0-2 each, M Craig, SL McGoldrick, F Doherty, A Kerrigan, C O’Boyle, P Cassidy, J Kearney 0-1 each. Armagh: K Carragher 1-2, J Clarke 1-1 (1-0 pen), S Forker 0-3 (2fs), A Forker (2fs), C Rafferty 0-2 each, R Tasker, S Campbell, E Rafferty, S Harold, E McVerry 0-1 each.

DERRY — T Mallon; O Duffy, C McKaigue, M McShane; C McAtamney, M Craig, SL McGoldrick; F Doherty, M Lynch; C McFaul, J Kielt, E Lynn; A O’Neill, E McGuckin, A Kerrigan. Subs: D McBride for McShane (h-t), D Mullan for Kerrigan (h-t), B Heron for O’Neill, C O’Boyle for McGuckin (h-t), P Bradley for Doherty (47), D Brown for Duffy (52), C Conway for McAtamney (65), J Kearney for Lynn (66), C McWilliams for Craig (66), C Kielt for McGoldrick (67), P Cassidy for Lynch (70).

ARMAGH — P Rodgers; P Hughes, G McCooey, M Murray; C McKeever, C Vernon, R Grugan; A Findon, P O’Neill; R Tasker, S Campbell, A Forker; K Carragher, E Rafferty, S Forker. Subs: J Clarke for O’Neill (25), S Harold for Findon (35), M Shields for McKeever (h-t), E McVerry for S Forker (43), C Rafferty for Grugan (48), B Mallon for Campbell (50), K Toner for E Rafferty (61), N Geoghan for Rodgers (62), N McConville for Tasker (63), K O’Rourke for Carragher (68).

REF — B Rice (Down)

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