DONEGAL DEFEATED FERMANAGH 2-12 to 0-11 in Ballybofey on Sunday as Odhrán Mac Niallais scored two goals on a day when Neil McGee was sent off.
Goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley saved a penalty from Fermanagh’s Sean Quigley and Donegal pulled away in the third quarter to advance into the semi-finals.
Picture caption: Donegal goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley after making a crucial save. Picture by Geraldine Diver
1.Neil McGee’s red card means all sorts of difficulties
THAT moment, in first half stoppage time, when Neil McGee connected his forearm with the face of the Fermanagh forward, Ruairí Corrigan, has all sorts of consequences for Donegal.
The video evidence showed that referee Maurice Deegan was correct to brandish the red card to McGee.
McGee’s actions – which it is claimed were in reaction to the Donegal player taking a blow himself as he gathered the ball on the ground – were the subject of much debate on social media on Sunday evening.
McGee had possession of the ball when he struck Corrigan and many in attendance were surprised to see McGee and Donegal manager Rory Gallagher protest so vehemently at half-time as the teams parted ways.
On the incident, Gallagher said: “I thought I heard a whistle for a free-out and Neil is adamant that he heard a whistle for a free out and then he kind of shrugged his man off.”
Gallagher had not viewed the footage at that stage and said: “He’ll be a huge loss.
“He’s the best full-back in the country. We’ll look at the evidence and see, but if he’s out he’s out. If Neil is gone, he is gone and we will move on.”
The sending off means that he’s set to miss two games now after a retrospective ban was given to the Gaoth Dobhair man for an incident with Alan Fitzgerald, the Kerry forward, back in March.
McGee is also walking another tightrope. Black carded in the League against Down and Monaghan, the full-back is another black card away from a further one-game suspension.
The immediate concern for Rory Gallagher will be finding a replacement to shackle Conor McManus in Saturday-week’s semi-final against Monaghan.
[adrotate group=”53″]- Mark Anthony McGinley makes the step up
TWICE in the first half, Mark Anthony McGinley put kick-outs over the sideline to give Fermanagh possession and the nerves whistled around Ballybofey.
The rookie goalkeeper, making his first Championship appearance and only his fourth-ever game for Donegal at senior level, seemed to be wobbling under pressure at those times..
But it was to McGinley’s eternal credit that he shook the head clear to provide two of the game’s big moments.
McGinley denied Ruairí Corrigan with one brave stop, but it was his penalty save from Sean Quigley that was of greater significance. After McGee’s hit on Corrigan, there was a delay of almost three minutes before the penalty was taken – and McGinley dived to right right to make a telling save.
McGinley’s kick-outs improved thereafter and the confident St Michael’s man will, all in all, be quite content with his display in his first Ulster SFC outing.
[adrotate group=”68″]- Odhrán Mac Niallais is Donegal’s match winner
ODHRÁN Mac Niallais’ penchant for big scores was evident again on Sunday and his two goals were pulled right out of the top drawer.
On 13 minutes, Mac Niallais arrowed a wonderful shot beyond Fermanagh goalkeeper Chris Snow, via the underside of the Erne crossbar. Frank McGlynn and Martin McElhinney were central in the move, but it was all about the finish, a clinical shot by Mac Niallais.
Ten minutes into the second half, Mac Niallais put the game beyond Fermanagh’s reach when he swept home with his hands at close range. It was a goal not unlike that scored by Ryan McHugh in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2014 against Dublin.
Again, McElhinney and McGlynn were involved, but it was Martin O’Reilly who provided the final ball, which was steered home by Mac Niallais.
For good measure, Mac Niallais added a wonderul point late in the first half, a gorgeous floated effort sailing between the sticks.
It was one of those days where everything clicked for the languid Gaoth Dobhair man.
[adrotate group=”70″]- Donegal must watch their discipline
THE SENDING off aside, Donegal showed a rare tendency to concede scoreable frees on Sunday afternoon.
Martin McHugh noted that Donegal seemed ‘very fired up’ at half-time, perhaps something that stemmed from entering the game on the back of a five-game losing streak.
Tomás Corrigan kicked seven points from frees, while Sean Quigley put three wide when he’d usually be more reliable and the full-forward also saw a penalty saved by Mark Anthony McGinley, the Donegal goalkeeper.
In recent years, Donegal have a very good record of not conceding scoreable frees and against the better teams will look for a return to that again, given that the likes of Conor McManus would be liable to inflict greater punishment than that doled out by Fermanagh.
[adrotate group=”43″]- Injuries remain a concern for Donegal
THE withdrawals of Frank McGlynn and Martin McElhinney in the second half appeared to be precautionary, with both not looking too troubled as they left the action.
But, still, time is short and the turnaround quick with just 13 days between Sunday’s game and Saturday-week’s semi-final against Monaghan in Cavan.
Karl Lacey was deemed not fit to start, despite having been named in the team, while Neil Gallagher was another who didn’t tog out.
Both of those remain in a race to be fit for the semi-final, although management are hopeful.
Of greater concern was how Michael Murphy appeared inhibited by an ankle ailment for long periods of the game. There were times in the second half, those moments when Donegal took control, that Murphy was at the controls, but there was no doubt that the captain was some way off full fitness.
When they go up against Monaghan, Donegal will want them all chomping at the bit.
[adrotate group=”74″] Tags: