Tempers were raised in Saturday night’s McKenna Cup final

2016 Dr McKenna Cup final

Tyrone 1-22 Derry 1-17 – AET

Saturday night’s McKenna Cup final was a thriller.

It emphasised the fierce rivalry that exists between Tyrone and Derry, that they would battle so hard to win a pre-season competition.

Three players managed to get sent off, Tyrone’s Cathal McCarron,  and Ronan McNamee, as well as Derry’s Daniel McKinless.

Derry manager Damian Barton in his first final as county boss, was sent to the stands as well by Referee Noel Mooney.

The first half was Derry’s, and they led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the interval. Ryan Bell got their goal, from a penalty which Niall Morgan had saved initially.

Derry managed to stay in front for much of the second half, despite the hard work from Tyrone. Conor Meyler impressed in particular.

But things got testy towards the ends, as McCarron received a straight red, and McKinless and McNamee walked for two yellows apiece.

There were four minutes signalled for added time, but the referee played six, and Darren McCurry scored the equaliser.

McCurry would score the late penalty that would earn Tyrone their fifth McKenna Cup title in a row.

Twitter was set alight after such an exciting game, which also saw Enda Lynn suffer a broken ankle, and Brendan Rogers had to get 14 stitches:

Pulsating evening in Athletic Grounds, spirited comeback and victory for Tyrone, but best wishes to Enda Lynn suffering serious injury.

— Aidy O’kane (@Lilyokane3) January 24, 2016

Great to see @rony_mac get his first start and red card of the year last night. Many more to come I’m sure. #angryman

— Johnny Lafferty (@BigJan11) January 24, 2016

@BigJan11 @rony_mac complete thug

— Conán Grugan (@ConanGrug8) January 24, 2016

@nilsatis100 McCann with a dirty elbow on Rodgers who had to have surgery this morning, in front of the ref too! pic.twitter.com/L2Khpg3DqL

— Ciaran O Neill (@glensnowball) January 24, 2016

Unlucky @Doiregaa good battling display early days yet great start for the new year

— ciaran mc 2006 (@cml2006) January 23, 2016

Getting heated #McKennaCup pic.twitter.com/6LYB00PzQz

— ciaran mc 2006 (@cml2006) January 23, 2016

Derry putting in decent performances. Mark my words. They wont be far away in next years McKenna Cup

— Tommy McGuigan (@nilsatis100) January 23, 2016

Beat the traffic anyway from the Tyrone and Derry game. Of course it goes in to extra time ffs!! Watching it on Twitter is not the same !!

— owen mulligan (@owen_mulligan) January 23, 2016