Donegal 3-16 Armagh 1-6
Michael Langan was the star of the show as Donegal cruised past a youthful Armagh side in their McKenna Cup opener at MacCumhaill Park this evening.
Jim McGuinness’s side were six ahead at the break and then kicked some lovely scores in the second half as they ran out convincing winners.
There was a big crowd of nearly 4000 people in MacCumhaill Park for the match, but Armagh fielded an Under 20 side, with Newtoncunningham resident Barry O’Hagan taking charge of the Orchard county.
Donegal got off to an excellent start and hit a goal after 72 seconds. Patrick McBrearty and debutant Finnbarr Roarty combined before Michael Langan smashed a powerful shot to the roof of the net.
The home side soon established control and Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí and Aaron Doherty kicked points from play.
Armagh worked hard defensively in the first quarter and they landed points from Joe Sheridan (mark) and Luke McKeever.
Donegal went 13 minutes without a score before they bagged their second goal. Jason McGee and Oisin Caulfield were involved before corner-back Kevin McGettigan slipped the ball into the bottom corner.
Armagh had the perfect response as they notched a goal of their own in the 24th minute when Luke McKeever fisted over the head of Shaun Patton and into the net.
Langan and Patrick McBrearty (free) extended Donegal’s lead before Callum O’Neill hit a beauty for Armagh.
Langan was in the mood and he scored two more late in the first half as Donegal opened up a 2-6 to 1-3 lead at the break.
McGuinness made seven changes at half-time and it took Oisin Gallen only 33 seconds after the restart to palm home a goal.
Caolan McGonagle and Brendan O’Hagan (free) traded points before Donegal scored six on the bounce with Ryan McHugh, McBrearty (free), Gallen (2), Langan and Odhran Doherty all on target.
O’Hagan struck another two frees for the visitors before Donegal finished strongly.
Peadar Mogan and Gallen (2) concluded the scoring for the winners, who are back in action on Sunday against Tyrone in Healy Park.
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Kevin McGettigan (1-0); Ryan McHugh (0-1), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí (0-1), Ciaran Moore; Jason McGee, Michael Langan (1-4); Oisin Caulfield, Ciaran Thompson, Daire Ó Baoill; Aaron Doherty (0-1), Patrick McBrearty (0-2, 2fs), Seanan Carr. Subs: Shane O’Donnell, Caolan McGonagle (0-1), Oisin Gallen (1-4, 1f), Stephen McMenamin, Odhran Doherty (0-1), and Peadar Mogan (0-1) for Ó Baoill, Moore, McGee, McGettigan, Caulfield, Carr, and Doherty (Half-time), Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde and John Ross Molloy for MacCeallabhuí and Roarty (51 mins), Rory O’Donnell and Daithi Roberts for Langan and Patton (53 mins).
Armagh: Rhys Steven; Cathal Agnew, Sam McClarnon, Conor Magennis; Emmet Magee, Luke McKeever (1-1), Joe Sheridan (0-1, 1m); Tadhg Grimley, Paddy Carr; Sean Conlon, Brendan O’Hagan (0-3, 3fs), Callum O’Neill (0-1); Cianan Campbell, Daniel Magee, Michael McConville. Subs: Fergal O’Brien for Carr (30 mins), Blaine Hughes for Stevens (Half-time), Tomas Galvin for Campbell (46 mins).
Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan).
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