TV highlights focused on the triumphant return of Michael Murphy and the goal posts swaying alarmingly in the gale force wind but it was two vital league points that kept promotion hopes alive that were most important as Donegal secured a one-point 1-9 to 0.11 win against fellow promotion hopefuls Armagh. The welcome return to action for Michael Murphy, who replaced Oisin Gallen mid-way through the first half, was marked by an official eir sport Man of the Match performance as he scored 1.2 from play. Donegal’s other scores came from five Michael Langan frees, a point from play for Niall O’Donnell and a Ciaran Thompson free.
Despite the win, Donegal’s hopes of promotion back to Roinn 1 and a date in the second Division final in Croke Park at end-March remains out of their hands. Currrently on six league points, Donegal play in Cork on Mar 16th and entertain Kildare in Ballyshannon on March 24th. Consecutive victories will put them on ten points. Fermanagh, on eight points, travel to Armagh on March 16th and Meath also on eight points go to Clare before the current league leaders go head-to-head in their last game. If both Meath and Fermanagh win their penultimate games, a draw in the final match will put paid to Donegal’s chances, as will victory for Meath (the home team) as Donegal lost their head-to-head tie with Fermanagh.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Mon 4th Mar