Down, Donegal and UUJ made winning starts to their Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup campaigns yesterday. Former Aussie Rules star Martin Clarke made his competitive debut for Down as James McCartan's side chalked up an impressive 1-17 to 0-8 victory over Queen's University at Pairc Esler. And Clarke marked his first start for the Mourne County seniors with a personal tally of 1-6, with the goal coming from the penalty spot in the second half. His older brother John, who was back in the county colours after a year-long absence, shot 0-3, as did Paul McComiskey. Cathal O'Rourke's Queen's side were well in contention at half-time when they trailed by three points, 0-6 to 0-9, but they relied too much on the free-taking of Derry's James Kielt and fell away badly in the second half. At Kingspan Breffni Park, Donegal recovered from a 0-3 to 0-4 interval deficit to beat Cavan by 0-11 to 0-9. Newcomer Gareth Concarr accounted for all of the visitors' first half points, while Young Player of the Year Michael Murphy added further punch to their attack following his introduction in the second half. Dubliner Gareth 'Nesty' Smith made an impressive debut for Tommy Carr's side by hitting 0-7, but it wasn't enough to deny the holders. Earlier in the day at Crossmaglen, Paddy O'Rourke's reign as Armagh manager began with a 1-2 to 0-16 defeat to UUJ. Despite making an excellent start, the home side were unable to match the fitness of Adrian McGuckin's students who had clawed their way back onto level terms by half-time. Three points from Tony Kernan, who was forced off with injury, and two from Joe Feeney had the Orchard County 0-5 to 0-2 in front before Ronan Austin pushed them six points clear with a fisted goal in the 16th minute. With Armagh man Stefan Forker in fine form for Jordanstown, however, the game changed dramatically in the second quarter when the students outscored the hosts by 0-7 to 0-1. Jason McAnuall gave UUJ the lead for the first time two minute after the restart and not even the introduction of Steven McDonnell, Aaron Kernan and Charlie Vernon could save the home side from defeat. UUJ: S O'Kane, A Girvan, S Mulligan, G McCartan, C Bayne (0-1), E Kenny, G McCartan, D Hughes (0-1), C O'Boyle (0-4), P Hughes (0-1), M Gottche, J Clarke (0-4, 4f), J McAnulla (0-1), S Forker (0-4, 3f), D McNulty. Subs: D Mulholland for McCartan, T McCann for McNulty, C Nolan for Clarke. Armagh: P Hearty, A Mallon, V Martin, B Shannon, S O'Neill (0-1), B Donaghy, F Moriarity, J Lavery, M Mackin, R Austin (0-1), C Watters, J Feeney (0-2), T Kernan (0-3, 1f), R Henderson (0-3, 1f), B McCone (1-0). Subs: M McNamee for T Kernan, C Vernon for Mackin, A Kernan (0-1) for Watters, A O'Neill for Feeney, S McDonnell (0-1, 1f) for McCone. Referee: M Higgins (Fermanagh). Tweet

Most Read Stories