YES HE KENN
Harte lands his first title as Oak Leaf manager
MICKEY HARTE won his first trophy as Derry boss continuing his love affair with the Dr Mckenna Cup.
After winning the preseason competition 12 times with Tyrone, he began life as Oak Leaf manager with 14man Derry beating 13-man Donegal in Omagh.
Both sides saw red midway through the second half when Brendan Rogers went for an alleged stamp, and when a melee erupted Paddy Mcbrearty also got a straight red.
Oisin Gallen was later sent off for two yellow cards in a game played on Derry’s terms, as the Oak Leafers retained the cup they won last year under Rory Gallagher.
Almost 5,000 expectant fans gathered in Healy Park for this much-awaited first instalment of Jim Mcguinness v Mickey Harte in 2024, but it was spoiled by the January weather.
The rain and especially the strong wind – which Derry had in their favour in the opening half – ruined the game in terms of scores but it couldn’t dull the intensity.
Both teams were totally committed, keen to lay down a marker ahead of the big Ulster SFC clash between them later in the spring. Not for
the first time, Derry were grateful for the free-taking accuracy of Shane Mcguigan, who nailed four in the first half and six in total. Jim Mcguinness will have been pleased to only trail 0-5 to 0-3 at half time, given how much ball Derry got their hands on.
With the wind now at their backs, Donegal needed to come out strongly in the second half but instead it was Derry who
got three-in-a-row from Paul Cassidy, Mcguigan (free) and a well-worked score from sub Niall Toner.
It was in the third quarter that Derry won the game.
Donegal sub Daire O Baoill scored within seconds of coming on with a really difficult kick from out wide and off balance 14 minutes into the second half for his team’s first score of the second half.
Then came the red mist with Rogers given a red for an alleged stamp on O Baoill.
It sparked a melee and at the end of it, Donegal skipper Mcbrearty also got a straight red to leave both sides at 14.
Donegal could not gain much advantage with the wind and with Derry sitting deep and countering, they looked like winners from a long way out.