Championship comes alive in Ballybofey
Ulster Senior Football Championship first round: Donegal 2-9 Armagh 1-12
Thousands will flock to Clones on Sunday to see if the rematch can live up to it but it is unlikely to beat yesterday’s action for sheer excitement. In the end Armagh were left cursing the Ballybofey jinx once again.
Not the kindest of places to Orchard teams down the years and despite having trailed for so long, Armagh joint-manager Brian Canavan was a little disappointed his side didn’t finish off an impressive comeback.
“We were a little bit unlucky in the end, but if you go seven or eight points down I suppose you have to be happy to have another go at it.”
Two goals down inside seven minutes was hardly the ideal start but as the game wore on Armagh looked the more menacing and Canavan admitted he was feeling confident.
“The two balls over the top had us shellshocked but at least it was early in the match. Jarlath Burns, McGrane and McGeeney were all starting to pick up a lot of possession and I said to the boys at half-time we were still in with a great chance.”
The bad start had forced Armagh to play their trump card, Diarmiad Marsden, a little earlier than they anticipated but like his fellow substitute John McEntee he had a major bearing on Armagh’s recovery.
Over in the Donegal dressing-room there was a distinct feeling that despite having lead until the 69th minute of the match, they’d got out of jail.
Captain Jim McGuinness didn’t have the impact he was hoping for and revealed he thought his summer was over.
“When Brian Roper got the equalising point the first time it looked like a draw but when they (Armagh) hit the second point I thought that was it, I thought we were gone. But that’s championship football for you, hard and physical. You never know what’s going to happen.”
Plenty of room for improvements on both teams. Donegal manager Declan Bonner, banned from the touchline, was glad his side were still in the Championship and at least next time he would be able to give his instructions to the players himself.
Fans content with a sporting draw
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PROUD parents Patrick and Bridget McGeeney, father and mother of Armagh centre-back Kieran, looked forward to another day out in Clones next Sunday as they walked purposefully out of McCumhaill Park.
“I would say Armagh would have to feel the happier of the two sides. Donegal squandered an eight point lead. We’ll feel very confident for next week,” said Patrick.
As regards their own boy, the McGeeney parents were quietly content. “I thought Kieran played well. It was a better game than the Dublin match last time out. Against Dublin he was told to stay in his position which left him very vulnerable but today he was let follow his man which suited him more.
“Ger Reid did well after the goals. He got good possession and used it well. He’s under so much pressure from the media and I suppose supporters as well. Full-back is such a difficult position,” added Patrick.
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Tyrone SFC: Galbally 0-6 Donaghmore 0-5
Galbally on top in Tyrone
THIRTEEN man Galbally won a tense and at times tempestuous parish derby to book a place in the last eight of the Tyrone senior championship last night.
They came from behind to stage a strong finish despite having both their midfielders sent off.
The first point of the game didn’t arrive until the 21st minute, Donaghmore’s Niall McCaul breaking the stalemate, but his side were behind by 0-3 to 0-2 at the break after Shane Hagan twice and Paddy Tally hit the target.
Mark Hetherington, Richard Hetherington and Niall McCaul put Donaghmore back in front before Donaghmore’s Martin O’Neill and Eamon McElroy of Galbally were sent off following a brief flare up.
It was Galbally who reacted more positively with Colin Hetherington levelling and Paddy Tally hitting the winner. And they held out despite having Paddy Corrigan sidelined for a second bookable offence.
Galbally scorers: C Hetherington, S Hagan P Tally (0-2 each)
Donaghmore: R Hetherington, N McCaul (0-2 each), M Hetherington (0-1)
