Dr McKenna Cup semi-final details confirmed as Derry…

Dr McKenna Cup semi-final details confirmed as Derry snatch a late draw with Tyrone

There was plenty of drama on the final night of the group stages of the Dr McKenna Cup with Derry fighting back to claim a late draw with Tyrone at Owenbeg.

The Red Hands were on top for the majority of the contest and led by five points midway through the second half.

However, the Ulster champions rattled off the closing five scores of the contest, including a stunning equaliser in stoppage time from Lachlan Murray to claim a share of the spoils with the game finishing 0-10 each.

Both teams ended the game with 14 players with Tyrone skipper Padraig Hampsey picking up a straight red while Gareth McKinless was shown a second booking late on.

The result means that both teams progress to the last four of the competition with Tyrone finishing top of Section B on scoring difference with Derry taking the best runners-up slot.

Murray’s late score also ended Armagh’s interest in the pre-season competition.

Kieran McGeeney’s men had been on course to take the best runners-up place despite suffering a five-point defeat to Cavan at Kingspan Breffni on Wednesday night.

The sides were level at 1-6 to 0-9 at the end of the first half with Ryan O’Neill scoring an early goal for the hosts.

Yet, Armagh’s sole score after the break was a goal from Oisin Conaty as they slipped to a 1-14 to 1-9 loss in Section C.

Armagh's Ross Finn and Ryan O'Neill of Cavan during Wednesday night's Dr McKenna Cup game in Kingspan Breffni. (©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

Like Armagh, Monaghan finished on two points after their 0-15 to 2-7 win over Donegal in Ballybofey, but it wasn’t enough to see them in the last four of the competition with Down topping Section A.

Conor Laverty’s men will host Derry in their semi-final meeting on Sunday, January 15 at Páirc Esler with Cavan taking on Tyrone at Kingspan Breffni on Saturday, January 14 at 5pm.

Both games had been pencilled for Sunday, but Tyrone's semi-final has been switched to Saturday as two Tyrone clubs are in action in the All-Ireland Club finals with Stewartstown facing Fossa (Junior) and Galbally taking on Rathmore at Croke Park.