The sun shone at the Athletic Grounds, Armagh yesterday, but precious little else did. Two understrength teams served up a McKenna Cup semi final that was short on skill and lacking in flare.

If Derry held the edge in the first hall, it was because they were sharper and more positive; but when Armagh's hunger and drive manifested themselves in the second period, the orchard county surprisingly overhauled their opponents.

Derry's 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead was obliterated when Barry McCabe flashed home a great goal for the home side six minutes into the second half and when Paul McGrane, Cathal O'Rourke, Ger Houlahan and Ger Reid pooled their resources subsequently, Armagh went on to earn their place in the final.

Enda Gormley and Damian Cassidy contrived to keep Derry in touch to the finish, but a plethora of missed chances earlier on, hesitancy in defence and a lack of real bite militated against Derry's prospects.