The concession of two second half goals and a final quarter famine underpinned an opening day defeat for Donegal against Armagh at O’Donnell Park yesterday afternoon in their Roinn 3A Allianz League Hurling clash.
Donegal’s Jack O Loughlin gets ahead of Armagh’s Kieran Mc Kernan during the Allianz Hurling League game at Pairce O Domhnaill.
In the first Donegal looked the better side but Armagh were more efficient in front of the posts so that it was still nip and tuck all through. The teams turned over level at the break on 0-9 apiece. Donegal had already missed two decent chances before Eoin McGuinnes poached a goal in the 38th minute to move the visitors 1-9 to 0-9 ahead. Over the next ten minutes Donegal played some great hurling hitting six points to Armagh’s single score to take a 0-15 to 1-10 lead. However, PJ McCarron’s point in the 13th minute of the second half proved to be their last score of the game. A Ryan Gaffney goal for Armagh 3 minutes later presaged a final 20 minutes (including added time) where Armagh added a further 5 points to run out convincing winners.
Donegal’s Michael Donaghue keeps control of the ball during the Allianz Hurling League against Armagh.
Next up for the Donegal hurlers is a trip to Healy Park to play Tyrone at 2 pm on Sunday February 2nd. Tyrone won at the weekend 1-21 to Louth’s 1-16 while Longford beat Monaghan.
Donegal Hurling Captain Sean Mc Veigh in action durings Sunday’s Allianz Legaue game against Armagh.
Action from the Alliance Hurling League game between Donegal and Armagh at Pairce O Domhnaill. Photo Geraldine Diver
