Donegal, Down and Tyrone all topped their Dr McKenna Cup groups with victories on Wednesday night to guarantee berths in the semi-final stage, while Monaghan edged out Armagh as the best runner-ups to secure a semi spot of their own.
Defending champions Tyrone took on Armagh at the Athletic Grounds and the bumper crowd were treated to an enthralling encounter between last year's finalists, with Mickey Harte’s men recording a 3-18 to 3-15 success to top Group C and set up a semi-final against Down.
Ronan O'Neill bagged a brace in the first half for the Red Hands, with the margin of victory enough to deny Armagh a place in the last four.
Tyrone led by 2-08 to 1-07 at the interval as Rian O'Neill's free from distance somehow found its way into the Tyrone net, but Niall Sludden added a third Tyrone goal with a composed finish, and goals from Stefan Campbell and Rory Grugan came too late to change the outcome of the game for the Orchard County.
In Group C @TyroneGAALive emerged victorious this evening in Armagh to claim a semi-final place and deny @Armagh_GAA a place as best runner-up pic.twitter.com/863kOhwApS
— Ulster GAA (@UlsterGAA) January 8, 2020
Donegal accounted for Derry at Celtic Park on a 1-10 to 0-08 scoreline to top Group A and will now face a clash against a Monaghan side which they edged out in a thriller in Ballybofey last Sunday.
Donegal led the hosts by 0-04 to 0-02 after a turgid first half, but Caolan Ward lit up the match with a magnificent goal in the 58th minute, thundering an effort high into the roof of the net after he had been put through by Conor O'Donnell.
That effort left Derry eight points adrift and while the influential Ryan Bell and his colleagues did manage to reduce arrears, the scores were mere consolations.
The results from Group A in the 2020 @BankofIrelandUK Dr McKenna Cup saw @officialdonegal progress as Group winners to the semi-final. @monaghangaa have qualified as best runner-up pic.twitter.com/r3Exkhaxb2
— Ulster GAA (@UlsterGAA) January 8, 2020
Down defeated Antrim by 2-17 to 0-15 at Páirc Esler to secure the top spot in Group B, with the goals of Barry O'Hagan and Corey Quinn helping Paddy Tally's charges to a comfortable victory.
O'Hagan and Quinn's first-half strikes ensured Down enjoyed a 2-08 to 0-07 lead at the interval and it was a buffer they never looked like relinquishing.
In Group B tonight's 2-17 to 0-16 victory for @OfficialDownGAA over Antrim sees them into this year's @BankofIrelandUK Dr McKenna Cup semi-final pic.twitter.com/ykC4VUhk2z
— Ulster GAA (@UlsterGAA) January 8, 2020
Both semi-final fixtures have been scheduled for noon on Sunday, with Tyrone returning to the Athletic Grounds to face Down, and Donegal and Monaghan meeting at a venue as yet to be confirmed.
RESULTS
Group A
Derry 0-08 1-10 Donegal, Celtic Park
Group B
Down 2-17 0-15 Antrim, Páirc Esler
Group C
Armagh 3-15 3-18 Tyrone, Athletic Grounds
