DONEGAL OPENED THEIR Ulster Minor League campaign with a draw against Fermanagh at the Bawnacre Centre in Irvinestown this afternoon.
Fermanagh 1-12 Donegal 1-12
Shaun Paul Barrett’s side were two points in front in the closing stages only for Fermanagh, who were dangerous throughout, to get back on terms through scores from Paul Green and Darragh McGurn.
In Lorcan McStravick, Fermanagh had the game’s outstanding player with the corner-forward from Tempo finishing the afternoon with 1-5 to his name.
It was a deserved share of the spoils as Phil O’Connor’s Fermanagh went in level at 1-5 to 1-5 at the break but had kicked nine wides to Donegal’s three in that opening half. In the second period it was Donegal who were more wasteful in front of goal with six missing the target to the hosts’ four.
All in all though, it was a decent test for Donegal, who have won the last three Ulster Minor Leagues as well as the 2014 and 2016 Ulster Minor Football Championships.
Today, in swirling wind, they did just commendable patience, while Fermanagh were occasionally snatchy – particularly in the first half.
Donegal started well with Oisin Gallen from MacCumhaill’s standing out with three points as they went into a 1-4 to 0-2 lead. The goal came on 13 minutes through Thomas McGowan of Four Masters from a rebound after Fermanagh goalkeeper Conor McGovern failed to hold a free from Gallen that was dropping short.
When Luke Gavigan then score on 17 minutes, Donegal were five in front. However, that was to be their last score of the first half as Fermanagh began to improve their accuracy levels.
McStravick, who rounded Sean Taylor and rammed home, scored the Fermanagh goal on 26 minutes following a long ball from McGurn that was passed on by Seanie Mahon.
Then, a wonderful point on the turn from McStravick leveled the contest at 1-5 each at the break.
Conor O’Donnell, the Donegal wing-back from Carndonagh, opened the second half scoring but three Fermanagh points on the spin meant the hosts were two to the good.
O’Donnell, enjoying his forward escapades, pointed again and the scores were level at 1-8 to 1-8 when Peadar Morgan, the Donegal team captain, scored the first of three second half frees.
Whilst Ronan Doherty and Michael Gallagher, with his first real involved having come off the bench, also was on the mark, Donegal were 1-12 to 1-10 in front. However, those late scores from Fermanagh meant it finished in a draw.
O’Donnell had a great chance of a goal only to flash the shot wide when it was 1-11 to 1-9 when he charged onto a blocked pass from Gallagher that fell to Shane McDevitt.
Donegal travel to Healy Park this day fortnight to face Tyrone, with home fixtures then against both Derry and Antrim.
Donegal: Sean Taylor (Aodh Ruadh); Michael McGroary (St Eunan’s), Aaron Deeney (St Eunan’s) Fionn Gallagher (Naomh Columba); Conor O’Donnell (0-2, Carndonagh), Luke Gavigan (0-1, MacCumhaill’s), Paul Murphy (Bundoran); Ronan Docherty (Milford), Colin McFadden (St Michael’s); Paddy Dolan (St Mary’s, Convoy), Aaron Doherty (Naomh Columba), Jack McSharry (Killybegs); Peadar Mogan (0-3, 3f, St Naul’s), Oisin Gallen (0-3, 1f MacCumhaill’s), Thomas McGowan (1-1, Four Masters). Subs: Ryan McMahon (Milford) for McGroary (35); Shane McDevitt (Glenswilly) for McGowan 43; Michael Gallagher (0-1, Killybegs) for Dolan 44; Michael Mulhern (Cloughaneely) for Murphy; Niall Hannigan (St Eunan’s) for McFadden 59.
Fermanagh: Conor McGovern; Luke Flanagan, Ultan Kelm, Paul Doherty; Seamus Moane, Jonathan Cassidy, Kevin Smyth; Darragh McGurn (0-2), Eoin Beacom; Callum Jones, Seanie Mahon, Cameron McBrien (0-2); Lorcan McStravick (1-5, 2f), Paul Breen (0-2), Sean Cassidy (0-1, 1f). Subs: John Rehill for Mahon (41), Gareth Deery for McBrien (46), Jack Love for Jones (58), Colm McNally for Moane (58).
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan).
