Red Hand Harte tees up final with Armagh
MICKEY HARTE’S Tyrone are on course to win their seventh McKenna Cup title in eight years after the Red Hands overcame Derry 0-14 to 1-8, in yesterday’s semi-final at Armagh’s Athletic Grounds. Peter Harte was the star of the show for the beaten All-Ireland finalists with the half-time substitute contributing five points as Tyrone made a sprint for victory. The first half had been a closely-fought affair and ended with both sides on six points. Damien McErlain’s men appeared to take control early in the second period when Patrick Coney’s goal on 44 minutes left them 1-7 to 0-8 to the good. Although that appeared to leave them well placed, the Oak Leafers only scored one more point for the remainder of the contest which enabled Tyrone to move up the gears in the closing stages. Harte’s men will now face old rivals Armagh in the decider after the Orchard County knocked out Donegal, last term’s competition winners, in the other semi-final at Healy Park, Omagh. Rory Grugan was the toast of Armagh, firing over the winning point as his side advanced on a 0-14 to 1-10 scoreline. Donegal’s Jason McGee got the only goal of the tie during the opening period, but Declan Bonner’s side were unable to take full advantage. Indeed, the reigning Ulster SFC title holders had started off in purposeful form and a brace of points from left-corner forward Jamie Brennan had them 0-4 to 0-1 ahead. Kieran McGeeney was able to name a strong Armagh side and Jamie Clarke lined out from the start as his side battled back to hold a 0-9 to 1-5 lead at the interval. After Michael Langan got Donegal back on terms early in the second period, the teams continued to trade points. With the game moving to its conclusion, Armagh midfielder Stephen Sheridan shot over to put his side 0-13 to 1-9 to the good. Brennan’s fourth point of the contest retored parity before Grugan proved to be the match winner. The venue for the decider will be decided by a coin toss this morning.