Donegal derailed as Fermanagh claim scalp in Letterkenny

Rory Gallagher returned to haunt an off-colour Donegal as Fermanagh came from five points down to win in Letterkenny – their first League win over Donegal in 40 years.

Donegal 0-10 Fermanagh 0-13

By Chris McNulty at O’Donnell Park. Photos by Evan Logan

Fermanagh out-scored Donegal by nine points to two in the second half as Donegal were derailed to suffer a second defeat in a row.

Donegal, who had Caolan McGonagle sent off just after the mid-point of the first half, were reduced to 13 men when Stephen McMenamin was black-carded in the 59^th minute – and it proved a big turning point.

Sean Quigley, with a free moved in from what had been a difficult angle, took Fermanagh to within a point and when Ciaran Corrigan landed his fourth of the day, in the 67^th minute, the Erne were in front.

For long periods, even if they weren’t next nor near their top form, Donegal looked set to make light of a poor record in Letterkenny.

And yet it was Fermanagh who closed out with Aidan Breen and Ultan Kelm sealing a famous win, with Donegal now only two wins from their last 15 at O’Donnell Park.

These teams have plenty of previous with the memories still fresh of Donegal’s win over the Erne in last summer’s Ulster final.

The temperature was kept high with Gallagher, Donegal’s former manager, now manning the touchline as boss of his native Fermanagh.

That the stars aligned to pit these teams together in this year’s Ulster Championship served only to add to the tension.

The Letterkenny air was well thinned and edgy by the time a ball was thrown – and the outing was perhaps characterised by a moment, just before the start of the second-half, when FIVE players were cautioned.

As Padraig Hughes readied himself to get part two underway, a shoving match led to Donegal midfielders Hugh McFadden and Jason McGee being carded. The rapid wrist of Hughs showed the card to Che Cullen and Ryan Jones of Fermanagh, with Aidan Breen, who got himself embroiled in the tangle also entered in the book.

Donegal were four in front at half-time and Michael Langan’s free widened it to five before Fermanagh inched their way back.

Ciaran Corrigan’s brace, either end of a Quigley score, saw Fermanagh creep within striking distance, with Donegal beginning to look leggy.

McGonagle, already carded 11 minutes previously, was penalised a second time for an off-the ball foul on Ryan Jones. McGonagle’s protests as he made the long walk beneath the stand were in vain and Donegal – who were 0-5 to 0-1 up at the time – were a man down.

Sean Quigley and Ciaran Corrigan reduced the arrears for Fermanagh, but Jason McGee landed his second long-range point of the day to steady the ship.

When Eoghan Ban Gallagher polished off a patient Donegal move with a well-taken score, the hosts were four to the good and their nerves settled somewhat.

After an initial tremor, with Ultan Kelm and Ryan Lyons involved in some jersey-pulling with Ryan McHugh and Brendan McCole, before even Padraig Hughes got things underway, Jamie Brennan arched over a splendid opening point for Donegal.

McGonagle won a free, converted by Michael Langan, but the bubbles were threatening to spill onto the stove even by that early juncture.

McGee boomed over a stylish point to energise the home side after Conall Jones broke the Fermanagh duck in the ninth minute.

Oisin Gallen, rewarded with the retention of his sport after a fine showing in Tipperary, arrowed over a brilliant score to put Donegal three in front. Gallen, with the angles rapidly decreasing, sailed over from the right-hand side, an effort that belied his inexperience.

Mark Anthony McGinley and Eamonn Doherty came into the Donegal team from that which had lost to Tipperary in Thurles a fortnight ago, with Shaun Patton and Tony McClenaghan dropping out.

Momentarily rocked by McGonagle’s dismissal, Donegal shook the heads clear and were four in front by the half-time whistle, Sean Quigley fisting over in added time for the visitors’ first score in 15 minutes.

Langan looked to have set Donegal up for the win, but it proved a day to forget for Declan Bonner’s men.

Donegal: Mark Anthony McGinley; Stephen McMenamin, Brendan McCole, Eoghan Ban Gallagher (0-1); Caolan Ward, Eamonn Doherty, Ryan McHugh; Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee (0-2); Niall O’Donnell, Ciaran Thompson (0-1), Caolan McGonagle; Oisin Gallen (0-1), Michael Langan (0-4f), Jamie Brennan (0-1). Subs: Paul Brennan for McGee (52), Eoin McHugh for Doherty (56), Leo McLoone for Gallen (62), Peadar Mogan for Langan (70 +1).

Fermanagh: Thomas Treacy; Jonny Cassidy, Lee Cullen, Kane Connor; Ultan Kelm (0-1), James McMahon, Ciaran Corrigan (0-4); Che Cullen, Ryan Jones; Ryan Lyons, Declan McCusker, Aidan Breen (0-2); Daniel Teague, Conall Jones (0-1), Sean Quigley (0-4, 2f). Subs: Kevin McDonnell for Teague (32), Paul McCusker  (0-1) for Lyons (44), Eamon McHugh for McDonnell (67), Ryan Lyons for Breen (70 + 1), Tiarnan Daly for Cassidy (70+3).

Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh).

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