Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
    • Sport

      Donegal Sports Star Awards 2022 winners –…

      8 hours ago

      Athletics

      Roisin Flanagan records 4th fastest Irish 3000m…

      11 hours ago

      Golf

      Buncrana Golf Club issue warning to vandals…

      11 hours ago

      Athletics

      Oisín Ó Gailín breaks sub four minute…

      12 hours ago

      Athletics

      Roisin Flanagan records 4th fastest Irish 3000m…

      11 hours ago

      Athletics

      Oisín Ó Gailín breaks sub four minute…

      12 hours ago

      Athletics

      Nakita Burke to represent Ulster at Armagh…

      4 days ago

      Athletics

      Donegal teachers and SNAs gear up for…

      5 days ago

      Boxing

      Ardara native Liam Doyle ‘flushed’ with Boxing…

      4 days ago

      Boxing

      Paddy Barnes to deliver boxing masterclass at…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Jason Quigley sets his sights on ring…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Brett McGinty wins by points decision in…

      2 months ago

      Football

      Cockhill Celtic handed away tie in FAI…

      2 days ago

      Football

      Shane Duffy donates one-of-a-kind jersey to Creeslough…

      3 days ago

      Football

      Finn Harps seek volunteers for various roles

      4 days ago

      Football

      Buncrana Hearts awarded home draw in FAI…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      Donegal defeated by All-Ireland Champions in National…

      16 hours ago

      GAA

      Paddy McBrearty: Sunday is a great opportunity…

      2 days ago

      GAA

      Two changes as Donegal host All-Ireland Champions

      2 days ago

      GAA

      Enda McFeely to referee his first Allianz…

      2 days ago

      Golf

      Buncrana Golf Club issue warning to vandals…

      11 hours ago

      Golf

      Golf: Eccles and McDermott win 2022 Owen…

      6 days ago

      Golf

      New Gents Captain and President elected at…

      2 weeks ago

      Golf

      Rosapenna ranks third in Best Modern Golf…

      2 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Raphoe Mens 1st XI start the new…

      3 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Hockey – Raphoe drop valuable league points…

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe reach Ulster Linden Cup final…

      3 months ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe remain unbeaten with win over…

      3 months ago

      Hurling

      Donegal into Conor McGurk Cup final as…

      3 days ago

      Hurling

      Donegal’s Conor McGurk Cup clash with Antrim…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      Mickey McCann makes three changes for Conor…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      Buncrana blitz Dungloe to take U21B Hurling…

      4 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Monaghan Rugby Club donate €1,200 to Creeslough…

      2 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Donegal’s most senior Rugby player Keith Anderson…

      3 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Three Donegal women start for Ulster in…

      3 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny RFC girls watched by 18,000 at…

      4 weeks ago

  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Travel
  • Features
  • Business
  • Property
  • Council News
  • Politics
  • More
    • Advertise with us
    • Haircare
    • Cooking
    • DD Pets
    • Hairdressing
    • Motors
Sunday 10°CMonday 9°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

  • News
  • Sport
    • Sport

      Donegal Sports Star Awards 2022 winners –…

      8 hours ago

      Athletics

      Roisin Flanagan records 4th fastest Irish 3000m…

      11 hours ago

      Golf

      Buncrana Golf Club issue warning to vandals…

      11 hours ago

      Athletics

      Oisín Ó Gailín breaks sub four minute…

      12 hours ago

      Athletics

      Roisin Flanagan records 4th fastest Irish 3000m…

      11 hours ago

      Athletics

      Oisín Ó Gailín breaks sub four minute…

      12 hours ago

      Athletics

      Nakita Burke to represent Ulster at Armagh…

      4 days ago

      Athletics

      Donegal teachers and SNAs gear up for…

      5 days ago

      Boxing

      Ardara native Liam Doyle ‘flushed’ with Boxing…

      4 days ago

      Boxing

      Paddy Barnes to deliver boxing masterclass at…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Jason Quigley sets his sights on ring…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Brett McGinty wins by points decision in…

      2 months ago

      Football

      Cockhill Celtic handed away tie in FAI…

      2 days ago

      Football

      Shane Duffy donates one-of-a-kind jersey to Creeslough…

      3 days ago

      Football

      Finn Harps seek volunteers for various roles

      4 days ago

      Football

      Buncrana Hearts awarded home draw in FAI…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      Donegal defeated by All-Ireland Champions in National…

      16 hours ago

      GAA

      Paddy McBrearty: Sunday is a great opportunity…

      2 days ago

      GAA

      Two changes as Donegal host All-Ireland Champions

      2 days ago

      GAA

      Enda McFeely to referee his first Allianz…

      2 days ago

      Golf

      Buncrana Golf Club issue warning to vandals…

      11 hours ago

      Golf

      Golf: Eccles and McDermott win 2022 Owen…

      6 days ago

      Golf

      New Gents Captain and President elected at…

      2 weeks ago

      Golf

      Rosapenna ranks third in Best Modern Golf…

      2 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Raphoe Mens 1st XI start the new…

      3 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Hockey – Raphoe drop valuable league points…

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe reach Ulster Linden Cup final…

      3 months ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe remain unbeaten with win over…

      3 months ago

      Hurling

      Donegal into Conor McGurk Cup final as…

      3 days ago

      Hurling

      Donegal’s Conor McGurk Cup clash with Antrim…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      Mickey McCann makes three changes for Conor…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      Buncrana blitz Dungloe to take U21B Hurling…

      4 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Monaghan Rugby Club donate €1,200 to Creeslough…

      2 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Donegal’s most senior Rugby player Keith Anderson…

      3 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Three Donegal women start for Ulster in…

      3 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny RFC girls watched by 18,000 at…

      4 weeks ago

  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Travel
  • Features
  • Business
  • Property
  • Council News
  • Politics
  • More
    • Advertise with us
    • Haircare
    • Cooking
    • DD Pets
    • Hairdressing
    • Motors
homepage-sportNewsSport

GREAT SIGNS FROM DONEGAL AFTER VICTORY OVER ARMAGH

written by John2 January 12, 2014
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

00085a0a-642ARMAGH 0-11, DONEGAL 1-10 BY CATHAL MacSUIBHNE in Armagh: A first McKenna Cup win against inter county opposition for Jim McGuinness today at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh and with it Donegal have given themselves a chance of semi-final spot. That’s largely irrelevant as regards the actual competition but an extra game or two would do his charges no harm at all.

There are still plenty of cobwebs to blow off before the National League commences and for large parts of this game Armagh had control and looked to be well on their way to victory. The introduction of Neil Gallagher in the second half proved decisive; prior to that the home side were dominating the exchanges around the middle but the Glenswilly man’s presence swung the pendulum the way of the green and gold.

Donegal had the better of the first quarter and were two points to the good despite playing into a swirling wind that made shooting very difficult. It seemed to take Armagh a while to realise how best to use the wind to their advantage but once they did they had their best spell of the game, registering four unanswered points; many of them efforts from distance carried over by the breeze.

The Orchard men were intent on not letting Donegal dictate the pace of the game. Paul Grimley encouraged his team to take all restarts as quickly as they good – in one case net-minder Philip McEvoy had taken a short kick out taken before the umpire had barely got his hands on his flag to signal a point for Michael Murphy.

Murphy was marked today by Charlie Vernon, a vastly experienced player but more noted for his midfield endeavours. Michael was brought out to centre forward early in the game and it would have been interesting to see how Vernon would have coped on the edge of the square as a relative rookie in the full-back spot. Instead he saw more of the ball in following Murphy out the field and this probably suited him and his teammates.

While Vernon and Armagh saw plenty possession in the first half they were rather ponderous with the ball and didn’t appear to have a definitive way to break down the Donegal defensive screen – only when they began to use the wind to good effect did the scoreboard begin to tick in their direction.

Buncrana youngster Darach O’Connor again made the starting fifteen and opened his Donegal account as well with the game’s first score. Even in the wet and heavy conditions his pace and power was evident but it will be on a drier sod and with a quicker tempo that he’ll really come into his own. Just as he did against Tyrone last week, he began to cramp up towards the end of today’s proceedings and its just goes to show the massive step up there is from minor to senior – O’Connor was replaced by fellow newcomer Stephen McLaughlin for the last few minutes.

Pace is the key differentiator in the modern game and because O’Connor possesses that he has every chance of making it at the top level. Other speed merchants such as today’s centurion Frank McGlynn, Karl Lacey and Leon Thompson (who was introduced at the break) can find it hard to discover their best form at this time of year but when Summer comes they eat up the yards.

The kick-out strategy on display last week wasn’t used as much today; the movement around the middle third was still taking place but things were much more crowded in that sector than they were in O’Donnell Park. Michael Boyle was between the sticks and he incurred the wrath of the home support on numerous occasions when taking his restarts. On placing the ball he’d pause to wait for a signal or a run from one of his midfielders or half forwards as to where the kick should go; this took up to a few seconds each time and the crowd were getting restless but again its all part of the work that is going on with the kick outs at training.

Armagh were much smarter with the ball after the short whistle; knowing that scoring from distance wasn’t an option against the wind they instead executed short kick passes to their inside forwards who took on their men at every opportunity and were rewarded with a couple of easy scores early in the second half; Robbie Tasker and Niall McConville were both particularly impressive with ball in hand.

It was here that Donegal really missed Paddy McGrath. While Eamon McGee, Frank McGlynn and today Declan Walsh all have experience of playing corner-back, McGrath is the only specialist in this position in the panel. The Ardara man has resumed training following his groin surgery and the sooner we see him back the better.

Of course Karl Lacey has two All-Stars as a corner back but those days seem to behind him; today he was stationed at wing back and it was encouraging to see him in action after so many different injury problems over the past year.

Armagh held their lead for most of the second half but when Colm McFadden netted after a goal mouth scramble the visitors sensed an opportunity. It was Murphy and Odhran MacNiallais who stood up to be counted in the closing stretch; the Gaoth Dobhair man produced a massive last ten minutes to get his side over the line. First he cleanly fetched a McEvoy kick-out and immediately off-loaded to his captain who split the posts from 40 yards.

Murphy then scored a wonderful free soon after to put his team one point to the good – the effort was from the ground on the far touchline on the 21-yard line and it sailed over the black spot. MacNiallais would have the final word as he registered Donegal’s final two points to cap an excellent individual performance and put the seal on a two point win for McGuinness’men.

While it was good to get the win, the positives were in the chances given to players such as Thompson, Gallagher and David Walsh, the Naomh Brid clubman making a real difference when introduced; they all need game time as they work their way back from injuries or in Thompson’s case, get used to the rigours of inter county football again. MacNiallais and O’Connor got another game under their belts while we will likely see more from Malin’s McLaughlin in the coming weeks.

The final Section A fixtures take place this coming Wednesday and Donegal are well positioned for a crack at the last four. It might well be a night for the calculators with score difference likely to be the deciding factor; as it stands now Donegal could conceivably finish anywhere from 1st to 4th in the group.

 

GREAT SIGNS FROM DONEGAL AFTER VICTORY OVER ARMAGH was last modified: January 12th, 2014 by John2
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Tags:
armaghdonegalDr McKenna Cup
John2

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Donegal Sports Star Awards 2022 winners –...

8 hours ago

Donegal supergroup to perform in televised St....

10 hours ago

Roisin Flanagan records 4th fastest Irish 3000m...

11 hours ago

Buncrana Golf Club issue warning to vandals...

11 hours ago

Oisín Ó Gailín breaks sub four minute...

12 hours ago

Donegal hotel representatives creating Celtic connections in...

14 hours ago

Sum of money handed into local garda...

14 hours ago

Lidl to extend Letterkenny store with addition...

14 hours ago

Donegal Scouts community to step out in...

15 hours ago

Video counselling programme launching for older people...

15 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

MOST POPULAR

Donegal County Council
Advertisement

Sport Hub

  • Stay up to date with Donegal Sport Hub on Facebook

    1 year ago
  • Donegal links rank in Top 100 Golf Courses in the World

    1 year ago
  • Bundoran 10 Event set for March 2022

    1 year ago
See More

Donegal Woman

  • Donegal supergroup joins forces for musical celebration of St. Brigid

    12 hours ago
  • Laura Brennan HPV catch-up clinics to be held in Donegal this February

    1 day ago
  • Donegal Rose Katie calls on public to be brrrrrave for Special Olympics Ireland

    2 days ago
See More

Columnists

Motoring - Brian McDaid

Brian McDaid: Remembering Ronan, the main man

4 days ago

Group Holidays - Travel Department

Travel: The 7 best things to see and do in Iceland in 2023

1 week ago

Career Advice - Rory White

Leaving Cert Class of 2023: Why you should make your CAO application now

2 weeks ago

Rethink Money - Sean McNulty

DD Money: 15 Christmas spending tips: How to save money this holiday season

1 month ago

Healthy Living - Sorcha McElchar

Why you really need to make a grocery list! – Sorcha’s Healthy Living

4 months ago

See All Columnists
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2023 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.