Dr McKenna Cup: Derry lead Section B after win over Down as UU hold Armagh

Enda Lynn's six points helped Derry fight back to beat Down at Celtic Park

A late Niall Toner goal saw Derry edge a feisty 1-14 to 2-10 Dr McKenna Cup Section B win over Down at Celtic Park.

After a 20-minute fog delay, Down starter the quicker as goals from Sean Dornan and Kevin McKernan helped them lead 2-7 to 0-8 at half-time.

However, Enda Lynn's four points from play helped cut Down's lead before Toner's clinching goal.

The win puts Derry top of Section B after Armagh were held to a 0-12 to 1-9 draw by Ulster University.

Tyrone's Ruairi McGlone scored his second goal of the campaign to give the students a 1-6 to 0-4 lead at half-time at the Athletic Grounds.

With another Tyrone star Mark Bradley impressing for the students, they extended their lead to 1-9 to 0-6 but Kieran McGeeney's side hit four points in the closing five minutes to snatch a draw.

The Celtic Park game was delayed for 20 minutes because of the fog and Down hit 1-3 without reply early on including Dornan's 14th-minute goal.

Lynn stopped the rot for Derry and Mark Lynch was also on target, but a second goal from former All Star McKernan had Down well in control leading 2-7 to 0-8 at the break.

Derry came out strongly at the start of the second half with three unanswered points, Lynn hitting his fourth from play and he eventually finished with a 0-6 tally.

Lynn's free brought Derry to within two points of Down but Toner's goal was the major score as they clinched victory despite having a player sent off late on.

Derry lead the table after a second straight win but Armagh will secure a semi-final spot if they beat the Oak Leafers on Sunday at the Athletic Grounds.

A Derry defeat will mean that the only scenario where they can earn their best runners-up spot is if Donegal and Monaghan draw at Clones.

After their second one-point victory, Derry's scoring difference is only +2 while Monaghan's is +17 after their dominant win over Queen's with Donegal's +12 despite their defeat by Fermanagh.

Dr McKenna Cup results/fixtures

Wednesday, 10 January

Sunday, 14 January

Wednesday, 17 January

Sunday, 21 January

McKenna Cup Final - 14:00