Buncrana and Aodh Ruadh began life in Division 2 with wins against Malin and Ardara while St Naul’s and Gaeil Fhánada won away from home in Division 3.
DIVISION 2
Buncrana 1-7 Malin 1-3
Darach O’Connor had to come off injured as Buncrana overcame a below-par Malin at The Scarvey.
Buncrana, just promoted from Division 3 last year, deserved the win in a tense Inishowen derby.
Big John Campbell hit a goal in the first half for the home side, while Kieron McColgan raised a green flag for the visitors.
Odhrán Doherty arched over a quartet of points for Buncrana, who made the most of it to claim an opening day win.
Buncrana scorers: John Campbell 1-1, Odhrán Doherty 0-4, Oisin Doherty, Noel McLaughlin 0-1 each
Malin scorers: Kieron McColgan 1-0, Brendan McLaughlin 0-2, Paul McLaughlin 0-1
Ardara 0-10 Aodh Ruadh 0-11
Ardara are in Division 2 for the first time since the 1970s and their first game in the second tier ended in defeat to newly-promoted Aodh Ruadh.
David McGurrin scored four points in a dramatic last ten minutes as the Ballyshannon brigade took the win.
With Gareth Concarr on song, Ardara led 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time.
Jimmy O’Connell kept Ardara ahead by four early in the second half, but McGurrin struck back for Aodh Ruadh.
Aodh Ruadh began to motor and David Dolan’s long-range free and another by McGurrin had the Ernesiders level.
Down the home straight, McGurrin proved the match-winner as Aodh Ruadh claimed an impressive win.
Ardara scorers: Gareth Concarr 0-4, Jimmy O’Connell 0-2, Peter McHugh, Oisin O’Donnell, Brendan Boyle, CJ Molloy 0-1 each
Aodh Ruadh scorers: David McGurrin 0-6, David Dolan, Michael Ward, Seamus Kane, Callum O’Halloran, Shane McGrath 0-1 each
DIVISION 3
Moville 0-8 Gaeil Fhánada 1-8
A 42nd minute goal by Seamus ‘Nanny’ Friel was the key score as Gaeil Fhánada overcame Moville at Carrick Field.
Moville started brightly and long-range efforts by Christy Hegarty, Micheal Barr and Danny Murphy had them in control.
With Barr, Murphy and young Patrick Faulkener on the mark, Moville led 0-6 to 0-2 at the break.
However, Moville would only score two points – both by Barr – in the second half.
Aidan McAteer’s Gaeil Fhánada were a new side after the break.
From the throw in, the ball was batted to Oisin Shiels who fed Mark Friel to slot over.
Shiels himself fired a superb point over before Michael Sweeney had an effort drop short before making amends and hitting the target from 45m to make it a one point game.
Then came the goal – a lofty kick out was broken into Sweeney’s path who played a one-two with Jonny Friel before off loading to Seami Nanny Friel who finished superbly.
Paddy Heraghty, Mark Friel and Niall Carr added points as Gaeil Fhánada pressed on for the win.
Moville scorers: Michael Barr 0-4, Danny Murphy 0-2, Christy Hegarty, Patrick Faulkener 0-1 each
Gaeil Fhánada scorers: Seamus ‘Nanny’ Friel 1-2, Mark Friel 0-2, Paddy Heraghty, Oisin Shiels, Michael Sweeney, Niall Carr 0-1 each.
Naomh Bríd 0-7 St. Naul’s 0-11
St Naul’s had the south Donegal bragging rights after a derby win over Naomh Brid.
Naomh Bríd led by a point, 0-4 to 0-3, but St Naul’s came out strong in the second half.
Led by Daniel Brennan, Stuart Johnston and Lee McBrearty, the Mountcharles side took the win.
Naomh Bríd, though, will reflect on a missed chance and an afternoon when they ought to have taken something from the game.
