Monaghan to face Tyrone as McKenna Cup semi-finals set

January 11, 2026

Antrim's Eoghan McCabe collides with Caolan McClogan of Donegal ©INPHO/Leah Scholes

Derry, Donegal, Monaghan and Tyroneare the last four teams standing the Dr McKenna Cup following this afternoon’s results in the Ulster pre-season competition.

Monaghan scored a 1-17 to 3-8 victory over neighbours Fermanagh in what was an entertaining clash in Castlblayney.

Darragh McElerney’s goal five minutes before half-time helped get the Farney men motoring and, despite conceding Shane McGullion and Justin McDade goals in the second-half, the hosts would see out a three-point victory with Micheál Bannigan in exceptional form for them.

Monaghan will now face Tyrone in the semi-finals after Malachy O’Rourke’s men registered a 0-18 to 1-11 win over Down in Pomeroy this afternoon.

The Red Hands built on a 0-7 to 0-5 half-time lead with points from Ethan Jordan and Michael Conroy after the change of ends.

Donal Scullion (penalty) pulled back a goal for the Mourne men but they couldn’t close the gap, as Mattie Donnelly, Aodhan Donaghy and Frank Burns sailed over scores at the other end ahead of Joe Oguz and Jordan rounding off the winners’ tally late on.

The other semi-final will see 2024 champions Derry taking on Donegal after Jim McGuinness’s men came away from Cargin with a 1-15 to 0-7 win against Antrim.

Eoin McGeehan netted the game’s only goal for the Ulster champions from close range five minutes from the end as they now look forward to a derby date against Ciaran Meenagh’s men this Wednesday night.


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