IT WAS ANYTHING but straightforward and it proved a costly afternoon as Donegal defeated Fermanagh to advance to an Ulster semi-final against Monaghan.
Donegal 2-12 Fermanagh 0-11
Odhrán Mac Niallais scored the two Donegal goals as Rory Gallagher put one over on his native county before 15,908 at Sean Mac Cumhaill Park.
It was only when Mac Niallais flicked home his side’s second goal, ten minutes into the second half, that 14-man Donegal, who full-back Neil McGee sent off in first half stoppage time.
Picture caption: Odhrán Mac Niallais in action for Donegal against Fermanagh. Picture by Geraldine Diver.
McGee was given a straight red card by referee Maurice Deegan for a strike on Sean Quigley.
As the Donegal full-back came out from a claustrophobic situation with the ball under his left oxter, McGee connected with Quigley and Donegal were down a man, who is now set for a two-game suspension.
[adrotate group=”43″]Tomás Corrigan’s frees had helped keep Fermanagh in check and they were within two points when the outstretched arms of Deegan signalled for a penalty and a chance to lead at the interval.
However, Sean Quigley passed up that opportunity, a weak penalty saved by the rookie Donegal goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley.
The St Michael’s man was given the nod and the first half was a mixed bag.
Despite putting two kick-outs out over the sideline, McGinley saved Quigley’s penalty and also denied Ruairí Corrigan as he pulled the trigger from close range just four minutes earlier.
Fermanagh’s tails were up despite Quigley squandering the big chance and they came to within touching distance of Donegal when Tomás Corrigan – who ended with seven points – tucked over a free early in the second half.
However, Fermanagh wouldn’t score again until 12 minutes from the end with Donegal eight ahead by that juncture.
Mac Niallais steered in his second goal after Frank McGlynn, Martin McElhinney and, finally, Martin O’Reilly advanced the play.
Donegal made two changes to their named team with Eamon McGee and Eoin McHugh taking the spots of Karl Lacey and Leo McLoone and it was the hosts who began the brighter.
[adrotate group=”74″]Pre-match whispers suggested that Michael Murphy, Donegal’s captain, would miss out through an injury and, while he did appear inhibited for a large chunk of the game, he still had his moments.
Murphy provided a delicious pass to Patrick McBrearty for the game’s opening point and when Donegal had the winning of the game in the third quarter, the skipper was at the controls, but will certainly hope he can have a bigger influence in two weeks’ time.
Donegal appeared to have switched cruise control on when they goaled after 13 minutes.
Frank McGlynn and Martin McElhinney created the opening with McGlynn’s pass inviting Mac Niallais to try his luck and the Gaoth Dobhair man accepted, cracking past Chris Snow, via the underside of the crossbar.
[adrotate group=”38″]Eoin McHugh – kicking his first ball of Championship action – and McBrearty had Donegal ahead by five before Snow stepped in with a save that was to prove vital in keeping Fermanagh in the game.
McBrearty was found by Mac Niallais’ arrow and, after sharply spinning away from his man, the Kilcar man was denied by a strong save from the Fermanagh goalkeeper.
A goal at that stage would have put Donegal eight in front.
Even with the denial, there was an inevitable air swirling until those manic few moments at the close of the first half when McGee was sent off and McGinley saved from Quigley.
Indiscipline was an issue for Donegal in the first half and it was interesting that Gallagher replaced both Rory Kavanagh and Leo McLoone after they were booked, although Kavanagh came back to join the play in the second half.
[adrotate group=”53″]Late in the day, it was apparent that Fermanagh would need goals, but Ryan Jones swirled just over the crossbar when he clipped over McGinley for a point, but an elegant score by the impressive Championship debutant Eoin McHugh from wide on the stand side secured a six-point win.
Ultimately, Donegal had too much cuteness and Fermanagh will rue some of their decision making as they head for the qualifiers.
McGee’s red card and a two-game suspension will be of concern for Donegal, who meet Monaghan in an Ulster semi-final at Breffni Park on June 25.
Donegal: Mark Anthony McGinley; Paddy McGrath, Neil McGee, Eamon McGee; Ryan McHugh, Frank McGlynn (0-1), Anthony Thompson; Rory Kavanagh, Hugh McFadden; Eoin McHugh (0-2, 1f), Martin McElhinney (0-1), Odhrán Mac Niallais (2-1); Patrick McBrearty (0-3, 1f), Michael Murphy (0-1, 1f), Martin O’Reilly (0-2). Subs: Leo McLoone for Kavanagh (12), Christy Toye for McLoone (half-time), Rory Kavanagh for McGlynn (53), Mark McHugh for McElhinney (59), Colm McFadden (0-1, 1f) for McBrearty (70).
Fermanagh: Chris Snow; Mickey Jones, Ché Cullen, Marty O’Brien; Declan McCusker, James McMahon, Barry Mulrone (0-1); Eoin Donnelly (0-1), Aian Breen; Paul McCusker, Ryan Jones (0-1), Richard O’Callaghan; Ruairí Corrigan, Sean Quigley (0-1), Tomás Corrigan (0-7, 7f). Subs: Damian Kelly for Cullen (black card, 47), Niall Cassidy for R.Corrigan (47), Ryan Lyons for Breen (59), Conall Jones for McMahon (59), Daniel Teague for P.McCusker (64), Ciarán Flaherty for O’Brien (70).
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois).
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