Nathan Mullins marked his first Donegal senior appearance with a goal in a routine 15-point win over Queen’s in Ballybofey.
Donegal 2-15 Queen’s 0-6
Pictures by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
Mullins bagged a goal late in the first half, after Michael Langan tucked home midway through the opening period, when Donegal ripped their way past the students.
Donegal led by nine points at the short whistle, as Mullins rose high to flick a McFadden Hail Mary to the net for a debut goal.
The inclusion of Mullins – son of former Dublin legend Brian – meant there was only one debutant in the Donegal starting XV.
The midfielder lined out for the Donegal U21s under Jim McGuinness and the St Vincent’s player has committed to Donegal for 2018.
Mullins certainly acquitted himself well on his opening night as Bonner – for whom this, too, was a first game in charge in what is his second spell as the Donegal senior boss – saw his side ease to victory.
Man of the Match Langan – who ended the game with 1-6 to his name – was red hot in the opening quarter and scored three points, two frees off the ground and a delicious first-timer from the stand side, before getting in for the goal in the 17th minute.
Hugh McFadden, installed as Donegal’s captain for the McKenna Cup campaign, won a turnover to set Donegal on their way.
Michael Carroll picked up possession to tee up Niall O’Donnell, whose shot was turned away by Queen’s goalkeeper Callum Mullan-Young only for Langan to steer home.
Mullins was in for an early goal chance, but he shot wide in the third minute after an improvised piece of play opened the possibilities. On his way, Mullins was hit late and Langan stepped up to convert the free for the first point of Bonner’s new era.
McFadden hoofed over from distance and the hosts should have made a better fist of a move in the fifth minute.
Tony McClenaghan, involved a lot in the early stages, found Eoghan Ban Gallagher in the danger zone, but his pass across, intended for Jamie Brennan, was intercepted by Aidan Rushe.
Brennan was in again later in the half, but was denied by a strong save from Mullan-Young.
Queen’s included Downings man Lorcan Connor in their line-up, but he was withdrawn after 13 minutes and they took until the 31st minute for Tiarnan Rushe to break their duck.
Donegal were 2-5 to 0-2 ahead at the interval and Langan was among the scores again early in the second half, fetching well from the sky and turning over when he might have rattled the net for a second time.
Caolan McGonagle, Ciaran McGinley, Brennan, Cian Mulligan, Langan, Darach O’Connor and Caolan Ward all registered in the second half as Donegal cruised.
Queen’s difficult night ended with midfielder Shea Heffron sent off, getting the full compliment of yellow, black and red cards.
Donegal concluded with eight different players having got on the scoresheet while Kevin McBrearty, Daire Ó Baoill and Peadar Mogan also came in for their senior bows on a useful first night at the office for the class of 2018.
Donegal: Peter Boyle; Paul Brennan, Eamonn Doherty, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Tony McClenaghan, Caolan Ward (0-1), Martin O’Reilly; Hugh McFadden (0-1), Nathan Mullins (1-0); Caolan McGonagle, Stephen McBrearty, Michael Carroll; Niall O’Donnell, Michael Langan (1-5, 3f), Jamie Brennan (0-2). Subs: Ciaran McGinley (0-1) for Carroll (half-time), Cian Mulligan (0-2) for O’Donnell (42), Kevin McBrearty for Mullins (47), Daire Ó Baoill for McClenaghan (53), Darach O’Connor (0-1) for S.McBrearty (53), Peadar Mogan for McFadden (63).
Queen’s University: Callum Mullan-Young; Niall Keenan, Aidan Rushe, Ross Finn; Niall Scullion, James McMahon, Conor Murphy; Shea Heffron, Emmet Bradley (0-3, 1f); Callum O’Neill, Conor Martin (0-1), Cathal Donaghy; Tiarnan Rushe (0-2, 2ff), Jack Dowling, Lorcan Connor. Subs: Eamon Fyfe for Connor (13), Emmet Deane for Dowling (42), Patrick O’Connor for Finn (42), Oisin Leenehan for Martin (47), Eddie Mallon for A.Rushe (53), Ciaran Harney for Donaghy (53),
Referee: James Lewis (Fermanagh)
