Dr McKenna Cup: Holders Derry defeat Cavan as Donegal and Monaghan earn wins

Langan scored the first of three Donegal goals as they picked up a comfortable win over a youthful Armagh side

Holders Derry began their defence of the McKenna Cup under new boss Mickey Harte with a 0-15 to 1-10 victory against Cavan at Breffni Park.

Jim McGuinness enjoyed a winning start to his second spell as Donegal boss as his side claimed a 3-16 to 1-6 win against a youthful Armagh team in Section A.

The game was played in front of a bumper crowd of 3,825 in Ballybofey.

Monaghan beat Antrim 1-15 to 0-13 in Section C in Castleblayney.

Harte has always respected the Dr McKenna Cup - having won it a staggering 12 times in his stint as Tyrone manager - but he wasn't afraid to experiment with his first Derry line-up in the first round.

He started five debutants in Derry's first competitive game since their All-Ireland semi-final defeat against Kerry in July.

Despite the changes, it was a familiar face in Paul Cassidy who was the star of the first half, as he scored three points from play, with each more spectacular than the one that came before.

Having had the lion's share of the possession, the Oak Leaf County were full value for their 0-7 to 0-4 lead at the break, but Cavan started the second half brightly and went one point ahead when Gerard Smith buried his chance into the bottom corner.

At the other end, Cavan's goalkeeper Liam Brady was in fine form, as he pulled off two superb saves in a matter of minutes, denying goals for Ben McCarron and Niall Loughlin.

With the game level midway through the second half, Harte turned to his bench bringing on heavy hitters Shane McGuigan and Chrissy McKaigue, and Derry were able to steady the ship, and do enough in the last quarter to win the game.

Points from Donncha Gilmore, McGuigan (two), Cassidy and Cahir McGonagle got them over the line, despite Cavan applying late pressure with three converted frees by Paddy Lynch.

Next up for the holders in Section B is Down at Owenbeg on Saturday, with the Mournemen then hosting Cavan on Wednesday 10 January at Pairc Esler.

Donegal ease to big win

Jim McGuinness' return as Donegal boss attracted nearly 4,000 spectators to MacCumhaill Park as his side outclassed an Armagh team comprising totally of under-20 players.

McKenna Cup games a couple of days into January usually draw hundreds rather than thousands, but the McGuinness effect was clearly on show as his presence swelled Ulster GAA's coffers on the opening night of their pre-season provincial competition.

While McGuinness was orchestrating his troops, Kieran McGeeney wasn't in the Armagh dugout as under-20 boss Barry O'Hagan led a side in which Joe Sheridan was the only starter with previous senior inter-county experience, amid speculation that the squad's regulars had another commitment on Wednesday night.

McGuinness handed competitive inter-county debuts to his Naomh Conaill team-mates Finnbarr Roarty and Kevin McGettigan plus St Eunan's man Ciaran Moore, Na Rossa's Oisin Caulfield and Four Masters' Senan Carr.

Roarty's run set up Michael Langan's goal after 80 seconds with McGettigan firing in Donegal's second major in the 22nd minute after brilliant work by Jason McGee and Oisin Caulfield.

Luke McKeever's palmed effort over Shaun Patton, after a long ball from Paddy Carr, cut Donegal's lead to 2-2 to 1-2 but three points from man of the match Langan helped the home side push their advantage to 2-6 to 1-3 at the break.

The arrival of Oisin Gallen was one of seven half-time substitutions made by McGuinness and he palmed in Donegal's third goal moments after the resumption before kicking four further second-half points as the home side took control.

The manager's son Brendan O'Hagan kicked Armagh's three second-half points as they never gave up but ultimately were no match for McGuinness' men.

Donegal face Tyrone in their second Section A game at Healy Park on Sunday, with Armagh hosting the Red Hand County next Wednesday at the Athletic Grounds.

Monaghan battle past Antrim

In an entertaining encounter at Castleblayney, it was the away side who raced into an early lead.

A Stephen Beatty point on six minutes opened the scoring for Antrim before Dominic McElhill added to their advantage.

Their lead was short lived however, as Michael Bannigan recorded two quick-fire frees to draw Monaghan level.

McEnhill, the Saffrons' star performer pointed again to put his side back in front before Thomas McPhillips responded for Vinny Corr's side, who then took control of the remainder of the half.

Two points from Sean Jones had the home side ahead for the first time in the game with a point from Andrew Woods further extending their lead.

Goalkeeper Michael Byrne scored a free to reduce the deficit for the Saffrons, who trailed by two points at the break.

Two scores early in the half got Antrim back into the game before Jones and Byrne exchanged points in a nip-and-tuck opening to the second period.

Two more points for Antrim followed with substitute Stephen Mooney responding with two frees for Monaghan.

Ronan Boyle edged Andy McEntee's men back in front before David Garland slammed home a goal to give Monaghan control of the contest.

Mooney and Garland further extended the Farney county's lead but the Saffrons continued to battle with McEnhill pointing.

Mooney and Oisin Doherty exchanged scores with McEnhill bringing Antrim back to within two points with his fourth score of the game.

Two further points from Garland and one from Mooney sealed the five point victory for Corr's men, who will face Fermanagh in the next round after they play Antrim on Sunday.