Dr McKenna Cup wins for Armagh, Fermanagh and Derry

Wednesday's Dr McKenna Cup fixtures produced wins for Armagh, Fermanagh and Derry.

In Section A, Armagh made up for their opening loss to Tyrone with a 3-10 to 0-10 victory over Down with Oisin O'Neill, Tiernan Kelly and Sean Conlon all finding the net for Kieran McKeeney's men.

Fermanagh got their Section B campaign off to a winning start as they edged Cavan 1-12 to 1-10 in Tempo with a two-pointer from Darragh McGurn and a late Garvan Jones free proving crucial.

Derry produced a strong second half to take care of business against Antrim in Section C with goals from Paul Cassidy and Ruairi O Mianian helping Ciaran Meenagh get his tenure off to a winning start after their game against Donegal on Sunday was cancelled.

Armagh's eye for goal proved the difference in front of 4,531 at the Athletic Grounds.

Down made the brighter start, with Seamus Loughran scoring twice inside the opening four minutes, while Daniel Magee was denied a goal when his effort was cleared off the line.

Armagh responded through Joe McElroy and Oisín O'Neill, with the full-forward also converting a penalty won by Magee after 14 minutes to put the hosts in control. Magee added a further point before Pat Havern struck an excellent two-pointer from play for Down.

Padraig O'Keefe fired home from close range after Fergal O'Brien's effort fell short, with Blaine Hughes then landing a late 45 to send Armagh in six points clear at the interval.

Debutant Pearse McPolin opened the second-half scoring inside the first minute following a raft of changes, and Armagh soon struck again when Sean Conlon fisted home from a short Padraig O'Keefe pass to effectively settle the contest.

Down briefly responded through points from Eamon Brown, Adam Crimmins and Tom Close, but Armagh regained control as Tiernan Kelly, Greg McCabe and Cian McConville added scores.

The hosts went close to another goal when efforts from Joe McCann and McConville struck the frame of the posts in quick succession.

Daniel Guinness grabbed a late consolation point for Down, but substitute Ryan Duffy scored the final point in injury time to complete a comfortable victory.

Section A concludes on Sunday when Tyrone host Down who can make it a three-way tie should they prevail against the Red Hands in Pomeroy.

In Section B, Fermanagh found the late scores to edge Fermanagh in a close-run affair in Tempo.

Garvan Jones edged the Ernesiders into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead when Cavan struck for a well-taken 13th-minute goal from Caoimhin McGovern.

Cormac O'Reilly and Cian O'Brien traded before Cavan goalkeeper Liam Brady pulled off a fine stop from Jones.

O'Brien and Jones drew Fermanagh level, but Cavan enjoyed a better run to the break with a two-pointer from Paddy Lynch the pick of the scores as they led 1-7 to 0-7 at the break.

Fermanagh were back on terms six minutes after the restart after Stephen McGullion found the net and a Declan McCusker point edged them ahead.

It took 20 minutes for Cavan to register in the second period as Ryan Donohoe levelled before the sides traded once more.

Cian Shekleton nudged Cavan back ahead, but Darragh McGurn thumped over a two-pointer as the game moved into added time and a Garvan Jones free sealed the win.

Cavan are now eliminated, while Fermanagh travel to Monaghan on Sunday to decide who tops the group.

Derry held Antrim scoreless in the second period in Owenbeg as they pulled clear for a 15-point win to condemn Mark Doran to defeat in his first game in charge of the Saffrons.

Derry dominated the early exchanges racing into an early three-point lead with Lorcan Murray, Conor Doherty and Lachlan Murray on target.

Antrim eventually settled with Marc Jordan grabbing their first score on seven minutes before Pat Shivers reduced the deficit to one from a free.

Niall Loughlin and Patrick McBride traded scores as the game struggled to get into any rhythm.

Padraig McGrogan pointed either side of scores from Dominic McEnhill and Shivers, before Mark and Ethan Doherty gave the home side a four-point advantage heading into stoppage time.

Just as the game seemed to be slipping away from the Saffrons, goalkeeper John McCann landed a two-pointer from open play to cut the deficit in half as Derry went in at half-time leading 0-9 to 0-7.

It took 14 minutes for the first score of the second half to be registered with Murray firing over his third point.

Shea Downey fisted over before Paul Cassidy burst the back of the net, extending the Derry lead to seven with 10 to play.

Niall Toner added a free before substitutes Conor McAteer and Sean Kearney (two) marked their debuts with scores

In almost the final action of the game, another man making his debut, Ruairi O Mianian, scored a goal as the Oak Leafers claimed a comfortable victory.

They will now await the outcome of Antrim's game against All-Ireland finalists Donegal at Cargin on Sunday to see if they reach the last four.