Seamus McEnaney made a winning return as Monaghan manager this afternoon as his side saw off Derry by 1-17 to 0-14 to book a first round win in the Dr McKenna Cup.

Aaron Mulligan’s early goal proved crucial for the Farney men in Inniskeen as they weathered the visitors’ storm in the run up to half-time to only trail by one at the interval.

Ben McCarron, Jack Doherty and Chrissy Bradley all struck points that opened up a three-point Derry lead seven minutes into the restart before the hosts came with an answer.

Debutant Mulligan flew over the first of five unanswered points for Monaghan, with Kieran Hughes (2), Dessie Ward and Jack McCarron also raising the white flags that ignited McEnaney’s men.

Derry hit back with another from Bradley but there was no handling Latton livewire Mulligan at the other end as he scorched the Oak Leafers’ defence for two more prior to Rory Beggan (2 frees) and Barry McBennett putting a seal on the win.

Monaghan - R Beggan (0-3, 2f, 1'45); R O’Toole, C Boyle, C Walsh; P Keenan, R Wylie, M Bannigan (0-2); B McBennett (0-1), D Hughes; A Mulligan (1-4, 0-2f), A Woods, P Donnelly; C McCarthy (0-1), G Mohan, D Ward (0-2). Subs: K Hughes (0-2) for G Mohan, D Malone for P Donnelly, J McCarron (0-2) for A Woods, N Kearns for D Hughes, K O’Connell for P Keenan.

Derry - T Mallon; C McCluskey, P McGrogan, R Dougan; C McFaul (0-1), S Downey, D Cassidy; P Cassidy, E Bradley (0-5, 2f); D Tallon, C Bradley (0-1), O McWilliams; B McCarron (0-2, 1f), E Duffy, R Bell (0-4, 1f). Subs: J Doherty (0-1) for O McWilliams, N Toner for D Tallon, A Doherty for B McCarron, C McAtamney for E Duffy.

Referee - P Hughes.

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