Power NI Dr. McKenna Cup Section B

Monaghan 2-11 Derry 2-15                          5/1/14

 Monaghan lost out in a high-scoring Dr. McKenna Cup Section B opener against Derry in Clones on Sunday. Goals by Enda Lynn and James Kielt had five points up by the half-hour mark, but Ryan Wylie netted on his debut and his fellow Ballybay man Christopher McGuinness raised the green flag after the restart as Monaghan turned the game around momentarily. Derry regained control, however, with eight points in a row as Monaghan appeared to run out of steam. There were encouraging performances for Monaghan by Wylie and Paudie McKenna, who were among six debutants (four from the start), while top scorer James Kielt was the main man for Derry, who had ten scorers, with good support from Lynn, Mark Lynch and Seán Leo McGoldrick.

Daniel McKenna won and scored a 25-metre free to get Monaghan off the mark, before sending in a high ball which broke off Christopher McGuinness for Jack McCarron, who sent a right-footed shot over after a clever pick-up. Charlie Kielt got one back for Derry, but an interception by Ryan Wylie started a Monaghan counter-attack which ended with Paudie McKenna taking a pass from Kieran Hughes and kicking a good point. Benny Heron replied for Derry, who took the lead for the first time when James Kielt set up the onrushing Enda Lynn to drill home.

Paul Finlay brought Monaghan back on terms with a fine score, before Mark Lynch hit the post for Derry, who soon struck for their second goal when James Kielt palmed in a Heron pass. Kielt then tapped over a 20-metre free for a foul on Ciarán McFaul and although Gavin Doogan responded, Kielt landed a nice point after a loose pass by Kieran Hughes. There was still time for Monaghan to make a big impact, with Paudie McKenna denied by Thomas Mallon and the rebound falling for Wylie to slide the ball into the net and leave just a point in it at half-time: 1-6 to 2-4.

A patient move at the start second half was well finished by Finlay and Christopher McGuinness quickly edged Monaghan ahead when he tapped over after Daniel McKenna had a shot saved by Mallon. Kielt tapped over a close-range free for a foul on Emmet McGuckin, but a great ball by Hughes released McGuinness and although his first shot was kept out, the forward palmed the rebound home. Seán Leo McGoldrick burst through for a goal chance at the other end, which he fisted over the bar, and the wing-back went on another run to allow Kielt make it a one-point game.

Lynn linked up with Emmet McGuckin to equalise, before Mallon dealt well with a Pádraig Donaghy effort under pressure, starting a break which ended with Kielt again finding his range. Lynch then converted a free for a foul on McGoldrick, before Derry made it eight unanswered points through McFaul after a pass by Heron and Mullan at the end of a driving run. McCarron ended 19 scoreless minutes for Monaghan with a brace of frees, following fouls on McGuinness and substitute Thomas Kerr, but Lynch scythed through to keep Derry on top, before McGuckin became their sixth forward to score. Vincent Corey got on the end of a move involving McGuinness and Dessie Mone to tap over, but a late point by Oisín Duffy secured a four-point win for Derry. Monaghan host St. Mary’s at the same venue next Sunday.

 

Monaghan: R Beggan; C Boyle, K Duffy, R Wylie (1-0); F Kelly, D Mone, P McKenna (0-2); G Doogan (0-1), K Hughes; D Malone, J McCarron (0-3, 2f), S Carey; C McGuinness (1-1), P Finlay (0-2), D McKenna (0-1f).

Subs: T Kerr for Malone, P Donaghy for Carey (both 44 mins), S Smyth for D McKenna (51), P Keenan for Boyle, V Corey (0-1) for Doogan (both 58).

Temporary sub: K O’Connell for Wylie (39-44).

 

Derry: T Mallon; D Brown, O Duffy (0-1), M McShane; C Kielt (0-1), C McWilliams, SL McGoldrick (0-1); F Doherty, M Lynch (0-2, 1f); C McFaul (0-1), J Kielt (Capt., 1-5, 0-2f), E Lynn (1-1); D Mullan (0-1), E McGuckin (0-1), B Heron (0-1).

Subs: P Bradley for Doherty, C McGoldrick for Lynn (both 49), A Kerrigan for Mullan (58), N Holly for Heron (60).

 

Referee: C Branagan (Down).

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