Dr McKenna Cup: Cavan reach semis after draw against Monaghan

Niall McDermott can look forward to a semi-final meeting with Derry on Sunday

Cavan's 0-14 to 0-14 McKenna Cup draw against Monaghan was enough to book the Breffni men a semi-final meeting against Derry as they topped Section C.

The home side hit the opening three scores at Breffni Park and still led 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time.

Cavan moved four ahead after the restart but late Conor McManus points helped Monaghan force a draw.

Ulster University's 2-7 to 1-9 victory over injury-hit Armagh wasn't enough to earn the students a semi-final place.

Armagh fought back from 2-2 to 0-4 down at half-time to level in the closing stages but a Ronan McNamee point ensured Ulster University's victory at the Athletic Grounds.

Conan Grugan and Paddy McBrearty hit UU's early goals with Michael McKenna netting Armagh's three-pointer in the 46th minute.

The Jordanstown outfit also defeated Ulster champions Monaghan in the opening Section C game 10 days ago but their 3-14 to 0-9 hammering by Cavan on Saturday meant that their scoring average was inferior to Section A runners-up Derry.

Two Jack Brady points helped Cavan lead 0-3 to 0-0 at Breffni Park before Jack McCarron opened Monaghan's account.

Two further McCarron points helped Monaghan level at 0-5 to 0-5 but scores from Paul O'Connor and David Givney helped Cavan re-establish a two-point advantage by the interval.

Cavan looked to be pulling clear as Brady and Niall McDermott added points after the restart but McCarron and Conor Boyle replied for Monaghan and the Breffnimen were unable to shake off the Ulster champions during the remainder of the contest.

An Owen Coyle point helped Monaghan draw level at 0-13 to 0-13 and while O'Connor put Cavan ahead again, a McManus free in the first minute of injury-time meant that Monaghan avoided a third successive Section C defeat.

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup results

Section A

Tyrone 2-09 0-06 Antrim

Derry 0-17 2-08 Queen's

Section B

Fermanagh 0-12 0-08 Donegal

Down 3-20 2-14 St Mary's College

Section C

Cavan 0-14 0-14 Monaghan

Armagh 1-09 2-07 Ulster University

Sunday's semi-finals

Fermanagh v Tyrone

Derry v Cavan