Donegal go down to Kerry in Divison 1 opener

Eamon Fitzmaurice’s team responded well to conceding the opening goal of the game – a Michael Murphy penalty on 24 minutes – to edge back in front within two minutes when Paul Geaney netted at the other end.

Donegal, with five league debutantes, hadn’t anything near the experience that their visitors had and in the end that know-how took Kerry over the line.

Jason McGee, Michael Langan, Paul Brennan, Jamie Brennan and Conor Gibbons all wore county colours for the first time in the league.

Kerry were 0-4 to 0-1 in front by the 20th minute, with a fine Patrick McBrearty scored Donegal’s only score at that point. Donnchadh Walsh had opened the day’s scoring with a splendid effort from the narrowest of angles, with Jack Savage scoring twice early on.

Manufacturing scoring chances was something that Kerry were managing much easier than Donegal, who lost Neil McGee prior to throw-in having been feeling unwell.

However, Rory Gallagher’s side then found themselves in front when Murphy slammed a penalty past Brian Kelly. Maurice Deegan awarded the kick after Walsh was adjudged to have fouled Martin O’Reilly, following an excellent run from the MacCumhaill’s clubman.

Donegal were 1-2 to 0-4 in front.

Only two minutes later, though, on 26 minutes, Kerry replied with a goal of their own. Geaney was on hand to shoot past Mark Anthony McGinley after a break around the back from Barry to make it 1-4 to 1-2.

But from there until the end of the half, it was all Kerry. Tom O’Sullivan, Geaney and Jonathan Lyne all got scored.

Kerry went in 1-11 to 1-5 in front at the interval and by the time the second half started Murphy was re-positioned at centre-field.

A McBrearty free and score from Ciaran Thompson made for a decent start to part two for Donegal. However, James O’Donoghue put over two at the Town End to restore Kerry’s six-point advantage.

O’Donoghue and Geaney were causing the Donegal defence a multitude of problems and in the 45th minute the latter added his second goal when he fired past McGinley having attacked the right channel. It made it 2-14 to 1-8.

If last year’s tempestuous fixture in Tralee was deemed to be x-rated, this afternoon’s was a matinee you could’ve the wife and kids to. It was open fare with no sweepers in sight.

Scores and chances continued at both ends, although some of the crowd started to filter through the exit doors midway through the second half.

Donegal’s display was reasonably spirited by the conclusion, with the likes of Eoin McHugh and Ciaran Thompson showing well. However, at that, barring a miracle, they weren’t going to haul back their entire arrears.

Six points in succession for Donegal in that final quarter did give the scoreboard a slightly better look.

Donegal: Mark Anthony McGinley; Paddy McGrath, Caolan Ward, Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher, Frank McGlynn, Ryan McHugh (0-1), Paul Brennan (0-1); Jason McGee, Hugh McFadden; Martin O’Reilly (0-1), Michael Langan, Ciaran Thompson (0-3); Patrick McBrearty (0-4, 3f), Michael Murphy (1-3, 3f), Jamie Brennan. Subs: Eoin McHugh (0-1) for McGlynn (26), Conor Gibbons for Langan (42), Darach O’Connor (0-2) for J Brennan (48), Eamonn Doherty for McGrath (50), Ethan O’Donnell for O’Reilly (58), Stephen McBrearty for McFadden (61),

Kerry: Brian Kelly; Jason Foley, Mark Griffin, Shane Enright; Peter Crowley, Killian Young, Tom O’Sullivan (0-1); David Moran (0-1), Tadhg Morley; Jonathan Lyne (0-1), Paul Murphy (0-1), Donnchadh Walsh (0-2); Jack Savage (0-3, 1f), Paul Geaney (2-4, 2f), James O’Donoghue (0-3). Subs: Jack Barry (0-1) for Enright (9), Michael Geaney for Lyne (49), Barry John Keane for O’Donoghue (53), Brendan O’Sullivan for Murphy (57), Gavin Crowley for Morley (61), Barry O’Sullivan for Walsh (66) Barry (black carded 70).

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)