Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal win in Dr McKenna Cup

Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal all claimed Dr McKenna Cup wins on Sunday to advance into Wednesday's semi-finals.

In Pomeroy, Tyrone sealed top spot in Section A with a 0-18 to 1-11 win over Down, while Monaghan finished well to deny Fermanagh with a 1-17 to 3-8 win in Section B and Ulster champions Donegal proved too strong for Antrim, winning 1-15 to 0-7.

All three move into the last four along with Derry, who topped Section C ahead of Donegal.

Following the draw, Derry will host Donegal in one semi-final, with MOnaghan welcoming Tyrone in the other. Both games will have a 19:30 GMT throw-in time.

Tyrone staved off a late Down fightback to claim a four-point win in Pomeroy.

This was a straight shoot-out for the top spot in the section as, after Tyrone beat Armagh on the opening night, Down were awarded the victory against Armagh after the Orchard men fielded an ineligible player.

Six points from debutant Ethan Jordan and five for new face Michael Conroy sent Malachy O'Rourke's side well on their way.

Pat Havern top-scored for Down with 0-7, including a pair of two-pointers as his side fell short and now prepare for the beginning of their Division Three National League campaign at home to Clare on Saturday, 24 January.

Conroy's first half two-pointer was the difference between the sides at the break as Tyrone led 0-7 to 0-5 despite wayward shooting from both in difficult conditions.

Malachy O'Rourke's side's early momentum was quashed by injuries to both Ruairi Canavan and Niall Devlin.

Scores from Jordan, Conroy and Mattie Donnelly pushed the lead out to five, before the Mourne men were awarded a penalty as Aidan Clarke was adjudged to have fouled John McGeough.

Donal Scullion stepped up and buried the resulting penalty to leave two between the teams.

Tyrone would hit the next six points including a two-pointer from Jordan as Down went 11 minutes without a score, trailing by seven with 10 to play.

Substitutions halted the Red Hands' momentum once again as Havern hit 0-5 without reply, including two two-pointers to drag his county back into the game.

There was two between the sides entering injury time as the visitors had Ceilum Doherty dismissed, and late scores from Joe Oguz and Jordan sealed Tyrone's place in the last four.

Monaghan sealed their place in the Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals as they made it two wins from two in Section B with a 1-17 to 3-8 win over Fermanagh in Castleblayney.

Fermanagh had beaten Cavan in their opener on Wednesday, but the game was voided with both sides fielding ineligible players.

Monaghan made the better start with scores from Stephen Mooney, David Garland and Fionan Carolan before Fermanagh got on the board from a 10th-minute two-pointer from Darragh McGurn.

A Garvan Jones free tied through the opening period and while Oisin Monahan edged the hosts ahead, a Josh Largo Ellis goal gave Fermanagh the lead for the first time.

Darragh McElerney hit back with a goal at the other end, but Fermanagh finished the half well with three points on the spin to open a 1-6 to 1-4 advantage at the break.

Stephen O'Hanlon pulled one back early in the second period, but Fermanagh would grab a second goal soon after through Shane McGullion.

The gap was five when Michael Bannigan landed a two-pointer for Monaghan and he repeated the trick soon after before Dessie Ward levelled.

Monaghan kicked on with Bannigan and Eddie Walsh landing further two-pointers, but a Justin McDade goal brought Fermanagh back to within striking distance with three to play.

However, Bannigan added a late score to seal victory for the Farneymen who advance.

Donegal impressed in their first outing of the year, running out comfortable 1-15 to 0-7 winners over Antrim at Cargin to close Section C of the Dr McKenna Cup.

The Tir Chonaill men made a flying start on a wet afternoon, with goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany converting a two-pointer in the opening minute after Shea Malone was fouled.

Despite early possession dominance, Donegal were wasteful in front of goal, registering five wides, although debutant Turlough Carr impressed across the pitch before Oisin Caulfield extended their lead inside 10 minutes.

Antrim struggled to respond, missing a goalscoring chance when Marc Jordan picked out Paul Bradley in front of goal. Corner-back Kavan Keenan kept the hosts in touch with crucial first-half turnovers, and Pat Shivers eventually opened their account after 17 minutes, striking the post before converting and adding a well-taken free.

Donegal capitalised on Antrim's inability to clear their half, with Malone and Jason McGee registering consecutive scores. Ryan McQuillan replied for Antrim, but Conor McCahill restored Donegal's three-point advantage, leaving the visitors 0-7 to 0-3 ahead at the break.

Antrim started the second half positively with a free from McQuillan, but Donegal responded immediately with back-to-back points from Hugh McFadden.

Patrick McBride struck a fine score to reduce the deficit, but Malone added his third point to keep Donegal ahead.

In the 50th minute, Gallagher's shot was saved but fell to Eoin McGeehin, who netted on his debut, with Muldoon adding another point to stretch the lead.

Late scores from Malone and Seanan Carr, including a beautiful two-point free, ensured Donegal finished strongly.

A late rally from Kildare saw them deny Antrim a place in the Walsh Shield final as they pipped Davy Fitzgerald's Saffrons 0-17 to 2-10 in Hawkfield.

Antrim dropped out of the cup competition by way of coin toss last week as their game against Offaly fell victim to the wintry weather and it seemed they were on course to set up a Shield final against Kilkenny next week when leading by two late on.

In an even opening half, Antrim momentarily led through the returning Conal Cunning, but the Lilywhites took a 0-8 to 0-7 lead into the half.

Antrim roared into the second half with goals from debutant Jack McCloskey and his Loughgiel club-mate Paul Boyle, but they failed to kick on as Kildare rallied.

Still, the Saffrons led by two late on but Kildare rattled off the final three points through top-scorer Jack Sheridan, Jack Travers and Liam O'Reilly to edge home and move into the final.

In the Kehoe Cup, Down held off a Meath fightback to claim a 1-15 to 0-16 win.

A first-minute goal from Eoin Pucci set Ronan Sheehan's men on their way as they built a 1-11 to 0-2 lead at the break.

Meath rallied brilliantly in the second period to get to within two, but Down held on for the win.