Sport

McGuigan goal stops students' progress

McKenna Cup SF/Down 1-15 UUJ 0-15: Fermanagh have made their way into the Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals, thanks to Down's win over…

Mon Jan 21 2008 - 00:00

McKenna Cup SF/Down 1-15 UUJ 0-15:Fermanagh have made their way into the Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals, thanks to Down's win over UUJ in Páirc Esler, Newry, on Saturday evening.

Kevin McGuigan's goal proved to be the difference between the sides as Down booked their last-four play-off place.

In a close encounter the sides were level on eight occasions but it was the introduction of John Clarke into the Down team with 10 minutes remaining which proved a match-winning move. He lobbed over three points to ensure victory for his side

Two brilliant saves by UUJ goalkeeper Michael McAllister from Kevin McKernan and John McAreavey in the first half kept the students in the game while the accurate free-taking of Mark Lynch also played a major part in the students' challenge.

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The sides were level at 0-6 each at half-time with Lynch scoring five of UUJ's points and John Fegan and Kevin McKernan notching three each for Down.

Midway through the second half a brilliant Down move was finished with McGuigan's goal and when Fegan added a point they were four ahead. UUJ did come back to level but in that hectic final 10 minutes Clarke produced those winning scores for Down.

Had UUJ lost by a point they would have progressed as best group losers but Fermanagh take that spot in the knockout stage.

The first semi-final takes place in Newry tomorrow evening, when Down face Cavan. On Wednesday, Omagh is the venue for the meeting of Derry and Fermanagh. The final will take place on Saturday, 26th January.

DOWN: B McVeigh; C McGovern, G McArdle, M Cole; D O'Hanlon (0-1), L Doyle (0-1), K McGuigan (1-0); D Gordon, J Lynch; J Fegan (0-4), K McKernan (0-3), D Hughes; J McAreavey, C Magee, R Sexton (0-3). Subs: J Clarke (0-3) for K McKernan, C Gribben for J McAreavey, P Turley for J Lynch, P Downey for C Magee, R Murtagh for D O'Hanlon.

UUJ: M McAllister; C Harrison, K Lacey, D Morgan; D McCaul, P McGuigan, M Drumm; B McKenna, C Cavanagh; J McGovern (0-1), R Mulgrew (0-1), T McCann (0-2); M Lynch (0-9), C Donnelly, A Moran (0-2). Subs: J Boyle for C Donnelly, D Hughes for M Drumm, K Anderson for J Boyle, S McAleer for B McKenna.

Referee: P Mullan (Antrim).