REIGNING ALL IRELAND champions Donegal began 2013 with a whimper tonight as they fell by 2-15 to 2-7 to Fermanagh.
Peter Canavan’s side began tonight’s game at Brewster Park by forming a guard of honour to applaud as champions took the field, but they were not standing back for long.
Instead they held a shadow Donegal squad to just four points until deep in the second half.
With five minutes they hit the net as Daryl Keenan rounded the goalkeeper to give the hosts a 1-0 to 0-1 lead.
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Gary McFadden would keep Jim McGuinness’ men in touch, but scores from Kane Connor and Paul Ward kept the hosts ticking over before powerful bursts from Shane Lyons and Marty O’Brien saw the hosts take a comfortable 1-6 to 0-4 lead into the half time break.
It was more of the same in the second half and the cleared fog only improved the shooting from Canavan’s side. Sean Quigley hit two points before Tomas Corrigan’s goal stretched the advantage to an unassailable 2-09 to 0-04.
The champions would rally with goals from Dermot Molloy and Adrian Hanlon would take the north-westerners to within six, but Fermanagh were confident enough to keep chipping away at the other end and held on to an eight point victory.
With the Meath / Louth rivalry put on ice with the game postponed, centre stage was taken by Laois’ battle with Westmeath in Group C.
The O’Moore county narrowly led their neighbours 0-6 to 0-5 at half time, but two goals from Padraig Clancy would prove the difference at the end as they strode to a 2-12 to 0-12 win.
Elsewhere in Group C, Brian Connor, Peter Cunningham and Eoin Carroll all hit the rigging as Offaly cruised to a 3-11 to 0-09 win over Athlone IT.
The game which did take place in Group A saw Longford take all the points thanks to Aidan Rowan’s goal.
The action in Group D saw Kildare overcome a strong DIT challenge. Despite being reduced to 14 men for the closing stages after Gary White was issued a red card, the Lilywhites held on for a four-point win.
In Bunclody, Wexford fell by two points to CIT, who scored six points in each half to stretch clear of Wexford having been level at half time.
Group A: Meath v Louth (postponed). Longford 1-14 UCD 0-14.
GAA wrap: Fermanagh ambush Donegal in McKenna Cup
Dr. McKenna Cup
REIGNING ALL IRELAND champions Donegal began 2013 with a whimper tonight as they fell by 2-15 to 2-7 to Fermanagh.
Peter Canavan’s side began tonight’s game at Brewster Park by forming a guard of honour to applaud as champions took the field, but they were not standing back for long.
Instead they held a shadow Donegal squad to just four points until deep in the second half.
With five minutes they hit the net as Daryl Keenan rounded the goalkeeper to give the hosts a 1-0 to 0-1 lead.
Gary McFadden would keep Jim McGuinness’ men in touch, but scores from Kane Connor and Paul Ward kept the hosts ticking over before powerful bursts from Shane Lyons and Marty O’Brien saw the hosts take a comfortable 1-6 to 0-4 lead into the half time break.
It was more of the same in the second half and the cleared fog only improved the shooting from Canavan’s side. Sean Quigley hit two points before Tomas Corrigan’s goal stretched the advantage to an unassailable 2-09 to 0-04.
The champions would rally with goals from Dermot Molloy and Adrian Hanlon would take the north-westerners to within six, but Fermanagh were confident enough to keep chipping away at the other end and held on to an eight point victory.
O’Byrne Cup
With the Meath / Louth rivalry put on ice with the game postponed, centre stage was taken by Laois’ battle with Westmeath in Group C.
The O’Moore county narrowly led their neighbours 0-6 to 0-5 at half time, but two goals from Padraig Clancy would prove the difference at the end as they strode to a 2-12 to 0-12 win.
Elsewhere in Group C, Brian Connor, Peter Cunningham and Eoin Carroll all hit the rigging as Offaly cruised to a 3-11 to 0-09 win over Athlone IT.
The game which did take place in Group A saw Longford take all the points thanks to Aidan Rowan’s goal.
Full details of Dublin’s win over DCU can be found here, while their rivals in Group a fought out a tight contest. Carlow edging home over Wicklow by three points after leading by a score at the break.
The action in Group D saw Kildare overcome a strong DIT challenge. Despite being reduced to 14 men for the closing stages after Gary White was issued a red card, the Lilywhites held on for a four-point win.
In Bunclody, Wexford fell by two points to CIT, who scored six points in each half to stretch clear of Wexford having been level at half time.
Dublin too strong for DCU in O’Byrne Cup clash
Dolan praises Mark Rohan’s input to Westmeath football
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Champions county team Donegal GAA Inter-County