THE DONEGAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER-17 SQUAD got off to a winning in the Ulster Under-17 League Group B with Michael Gallagher from Killybegs scoring six points.
Donegal 0-13 Fermanagh 0-4
The nine-point win marked a winning start to the campaign for Brian McGeehin, with Donegal entertaining Tyrone in two weeks time which is certainly going to be a test with the Red Hand County having obliterated Antrim in Mallusk, 7-24 to 1-3.
This afternoon in Ballyshannon, Donegal’s margin of victory might’ve been more but for an awkward wind blowing across Munday’s Field. At half-time the home team – who were against those elements – were 0-5 to 0-3 in front with corner-backs Aaron Deeney and Ryan McMahon, as well as Thomas McGowan joining Gallagher on the scoreboard.
Fermanagh, who saw Callum Jones, Gareth Deery and Aidy McKenna – who scored a lovely point from distance – almost finished the half in front with Pol McKirney’s shot at goal blocked by the ankle of Donegal’s James Breslin. The home defenders also put in a number of willing blocks to keep themselves in front by the interval.
The second half was all Donegal, who scored seven points on the bounce. Gallagher hit four of those points and he was joined by Michael McGroary, Shane Gillespie and McGowan on the scoresheet.
There were two late sendings off after a bit of a melee broke out with Donegal’s Brian Whyte and Sean Cassidy of Fermanagh receiving their matching orders.
Fermanagh only scored one point in the second half with McKirney scoring in the last minute before McGroary, the Donegal wing-back, finished out the win.
Donegal: Sean Taylor (Aodh Ruadh); Aaron Deeney (St Eunan’s 0-1), Darragh Byrne (Naomh Ultan), Ryan McMahon (Milford 0-1); Michael McGroary (St Eunan’s 0-2), Paul Murphy (Bundoran), Luke Devlin (Urris); James Breslin (Naomh Padraig, Muff), Shaun Gorrell (Killybegs); Michael Gallagher (Killybegs 0-6, 5fs), Thomas McGowan (Four Masters 0-2, 1’45’), Cian McEniff (Bundoran); Karl McGlynn (Glenfin), Shaun McGee (Dungloe), Shane Gillespie (Kilcar 0-1) Subs: Brian Whyte (Ardara), Paddy Gallagher (Ardara), Johnny Sweeney for Devlin, Breslin and McGee (half-time); Danny Walsh (Ardara) for McGlynn (44), Matthew McGovern (St Eunan’s) for McGloin (48), Ronan Docherty (Milford) and Barry Gallagher (Termon) for Gillespie and Gorrell (54), Niall Hannigan (St Eunan’s) for McGowan (56).
