Donegal are just 70 minutes away from retaining the McKenna Cup after they withstood a late Down rally in last night's semi-final clash at Brewster Park. Donegal 1-13 Down 1-12 Trailing by 1-4 to 1-5 at the interval, the Tir Chonaill men came out for the start of the second half with all guns blazing and turned their one-point deficit into a five-point lead. But Down responded by springing big guns Martin Clarke, Benny Coulter and Danny Hughes from the bench, and had reduced the deficit to the minimum when referee Padraig Hughes sounded his final whistle. James McCartan's in-form Down side made a dream start when Paul McComiskey's free deceived Donegal's inexperienced goalkeeper Lee McFadden and ended up in the net. Donegal got back into the game when Edward Kelly availed of a slip in the Down defence to sidefoot home. After an Adrian Hanlon brace had brought John Joe Doherty's charges level, McComiskey slotted over his third free to give Down a slender half-time lead. Donegal upped the tempo after the restart, with scores from Hanlon and Colm McFadden helping them to a five-point lead. But Down hit back with points from brothers Martin and John Clarke, leaving Donegal relieved to hear the final whistle. Tweet

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