McKenna Cup: Derry beat Armagh 0-17 to 2-7 in semi-final to reach decider

Derry progressed to the Dr McKenna Cup final after beating Armagh 0-17 to 2-7 at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday.

A crowd of 4,437 filed into the Armagh venue to watch All-Star forward Shane McGuigan hit nine points to lead his side to victory.

Goals in either half from Sean Conlon and Ben Crealey kept the Orchard County in touch before the Ulster champions took control in the final quarter.

The Oak Leafers will play Monaghan or Donegal in the final on 20 January.

The second semi-final will take place at Castleblayney on Sunday (13:00 GMT).

Derry emerged sharpest from the blocks, racing into an early three point lead. Conor Doherty opened the scoring on 46 seconds, shooting over when a goal looked on.

McGuigan and Cormac Murphy on his debut landed before Blaine Hughes in the home net made a miraculous save to deny Diarmuid Baker a goal.

The Orchard County would eventually settle and got off the mark, with a score on 12 minutes courtesy of defender Sean Conlon.

Dan Higgins quickly re-established the three point cushion before Armagh hit a purple patch of their own, registering 1-3 without reply.

Oisin O'Neill landed a free, then efforts from play by Justin Kieran and Ben Crealey levelled proceedings at four points apiece.

The first goal for the hosts came on 23 minutes, a real mix of fortune and skill. O'Neill's attempted effort at a point dropped short, allowing Conlon to jink and jive before smashing into the net, a finish not traditional for a corner-back.

The Ulster champions would draw level before the half hour mark, thanks to three on the spin from McGuigan, two long range frees and one from play.

Oak Leaf goalkeeper Odhran Lynch was called into action in the last real play of the first half, denying Justin Kieran from point-blank range to keep the score level 1-4 to 0-7 at half-time.

McGuigan got Derry off to a bright start in the second stanza with two early frees.

The Armagh reply was emphatic, Cian McConville's shot saved by Odhran Lynch and not cleared by the Derry defence, allowing Crealey to punch into the empty net.

McGuigan and O'Neill continued to exchange scores, Paul Cassidy pointing off his left to level the sides for a fifth time entering the final quarter.

Mickey Harte's side finished the stronger with further scores from Murphy and McGuigan before Eoin McEvoy got forward from full-back to fist over and put three between the sides.

McGuigan's ninth score of the evening put the icing on the cake for Derry.