SOMETIMES, A RESULT can feel a good bit more than what it appears to be.
A league win in mid-February will never be the time to break out the Cuban cigars, but there was so much in this that the Donegal public could get giddy about.
And top of that list is the return of their greatest-ever player, Michael Murphy. 35 years young now, his name was cheered to the rafters when he was named on the subs.
Then he was given a rousing welcome when he ran on for Jamie Brennan.
He wasted no time in showing that the years giving the ‘ah shucks’ lines in punditry boxes had softened him. He glanced off Andrew Murnin on the way past. Then he jogged towards Armagh captain Aidan Forker, who was in prize bull mood, and jostled hard into him.
They jumped into each other four times, chest slamming chest. Then Murphy pushed Forker high up on his chest, with Forker returning the favour. Then Forker’s head went in the direction of Murphy and the Ballybofey crowd of 13,109 erupted.
Referee Sean Hurson really had no option but to give Forker a red card for the offence of ‘strike, or attempted strike.’
At that stage, Armagh had actually brought the lead back to three points, having been seven back at half time, courtesy of two two-point scores from Ben Crealey and Andrew Murnin.
But with Murphy’s first touch a minute after coming on, he glided through for a point off his left foot. He added another from play, a free, and made a sensational catch from an Armagh kickout.
Armagh scored just two more points. Murphy was back, being the difference.
It had started relatively promising for Armagh.
Their goal came on 11 minutes. Jarly Óg Burns was on for Ross McQuillan as a blood sub and it was his daring that pulled the Donegal defence out. He played a handpass to Thomas McCormack who looked to be bottled up but he got his head up to spot Darragh McMullan with a clear view of goal and he stuffed his shot to the net.
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From that point, Donegal controlled the rest of the half. Armagh scored only once more, through Jason Duffy. They couldn’t get their hands on the breaks and their attacks grew more disjointed until they started making sloppy mistakes.
As Armagh’s composure crumbled, Donegal’s grew. They lay deep with two banks of defenders. When Armagh brought goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty out to create a 12 v 11 situation, Donegal sent Shane O’Donnell out to tag him and prevent any two-point attempts.
Shane O'Donnell advances beyond Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty. Andrew Paton / INPHO
Andrew Paton / INPHO / INPHO
Donegal had already scored their first two from Conor O’Donnell and Ryan McHugh, and after the Armagh goal they collected ten unanswered points, all one-pointers. The full-forward line of Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen and Jamie Brennan helped themselves to seven points, O’Donnell and McHugh added second points to their tally and Peader Mogan popped a point over.
Most satisfying for them was how they dealt with Armagh attacks. Goalkeeper Rafferty was tasked with trying to make things happen but blazed one pass over the sideline that was returned back over his crossbar, while he also fouled the ball and that ended in an Oisín Gallen pointed free.
At half time, the score was 0-12 to 1-3, Armagh consoling themselves perhaps with the belief that there is no such thing as a safe lead.
And it was looking that way for a time with those two early Armagh two-pointers.
All that was before Murphy came back and laid down the law.
Referee Sean Hurson sends off Aidan Forker of Armagh. Andrew Paton / INPHO
Andrew Paton / INPHO / INPHO
Once Armagh were a man down, Donegal could go back into doing what they wanted. Patrick McBrearty was majestic and almost stately as he held ball and observed what was in front of him. All over, they hummed and threatened with purpose while at the back, Brendan McCole continues to prove himself as one of the tightest inside defenders in the game.
Armagh were down half a team. Missing Rian O’Neill, Paddy Burns, Blaine Hughes, Joe McElroy, Oisin O’Neill, Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Ciaran Mackin and Rory Grugan means they can wipe this defeat off their bibs and size up Mayo without any guilt.
But Donegal will take plenty from it all the same.
Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 0-6 (1f), Michael Murphy 0-3 (1f), Conor O’Donnell, Jamie Brennan, Ryan McHugh, Oisin Gallen (1f), Ciaran Thompson 0-2 each, Peader Mogan, Odhran Doherty 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: Darragh McMullan 1-1, E Rafferty 0-3 (1 ‘45’, 1 2pt free), Ben Crealey (2pt), Andrew Murnin (2pt) 0-2 each, Jason Duffy, Cian McConville 0-1 each.
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Michael Murphy returns for Donegal as they beat All-Ireland champions Armagh
LAST UPDATE | 16 Feb
Donegal 0-21
Armagh 1-10
SOMETIMES, A RESULT can feel a good bit more than what it appears to be.
A league win in mid-February will never be the time to break out the Cuban cigars, but there was so much in this that the Donegal public could get giddy about.
And top of that list is the return of their greatest-ever player, Michael Murphy. 35 years young now, his name was cheered to the rafters when he was named on the subs.
Then he was given a rousing welcome when he ran on for Jamie Brennan.
He wasted no time in showing that the years giving the ‘ah shucks’ lines in punditry boxes had softened him. He glanced off Andrew Murnin on the way past. Then he jogged towards Armagh captain Aidan Forker, who was in prize bull mood, and jostled hard into him.
They jumped into each other four times, chest slamming chest. Then Murphy pushed Forker high up on his chest, with Forker returning the favour. Then Forker’s head went in the direction of Murphy and the Ballybofey crowd of 13,109 erupted.
Referee Sean Hurson really had no option but to give Forker a red card for the offence of ‘strike, or attempted strike.’
At that stage, Armagh had actually brought the lead back to three points, having been seven back at half time, courtesy of two two-point scores from Ben Crealey and Andrew Murnin.
But with Murphy’s first touch a minute after coming on, he glided through for a point off his left foot. He added another from play, a free, and made a sensational catch from an Armagh kickout.
Armagh scored just two more points. Murphy was back, being the difference.
It had started relatively promising for Armagh.
Their goal came on 11 minutes. Jarly Óg Burns was on for Ross McQuillan as a blood sub and it was his daring that pulled the Donegal defence out. He played a handpass to Thomas McCormack who looked to be bottled up but he got his head up to spot Darragh McMullan with a clear view of goal and he stuffed his shot to the net.
From that point, Donegal controlled the rest of the half. Armagh scored only once more, through Jason Duffy. They couldn’t get their hands on the breaks and their attacks grew more disjointed until they started making sloppy mistakes.
As Armagh’s composure crumbled, Donegal’s grew. They lay deep with two banks of defenders. When Armagh brought goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty out to create a 12 v 11 situation, Donegal sent Shane O’Donnell out to tag him and prevent any two-point attempts.
Donegal had already scored their first two from Conor O’Donnell and Ryan McHugh, and after the Armagh goal they collected ten unanswered points, all one-pointers. The full-forward line of Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen and Jamie Brennan helped themselves to seven points, O’Donnell and McHugh added second points to their tally and Peader Mogan popped a point over.
Most satisfying for them was how they dealt with Armagh attacks. Goalkeeper Rafferty was tasked with trying to make things happen but blazed one pass over the sideline that was returned back over his crossbar, while he also fouled the ball and that ended in an Oisín Gallen pointed free.
At half time, the score was 0-12 to 1-3, Armagh consoling themselves perhaps with the belief that there is no such thing as a safe lead.
And it was looking that way for a time with those two early Armagh two-pointers.
All that was before Murphy came back and laid down the law.
Once Armagh were a man down, Donegal could go back into doing what they wanted. Patrick McBrearty was majestic and almost stately as he held ball and observed what was in front of him. All over, they hummed and threatened with purpose while at the back, Brendan McCole continues to prove himself as one of the tightest inside defenders in the game.
Armagh were down half a team. Missing Rian O’Neill, Paddy Burns, Blaine Hughes, Joe McElroy, Oisin O’Neill, Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Ciaran Mackin and Rory Grugan means they can wipe this defeat off their bibs and size up Mayo without any guilt.
But Donegal will take plenty from it all the same.
Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 0-6 (1f), Michael Murphy 0-3 (1f), Conor O’Donnell, Jamie Brennan, Ryan McHugh, Oisin Gallen (1f), Ciaran Thompson 0-2 each, Peader Mogan, Odhran Doherty 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: Darragh McMullan 1-1, E Rafferty 0-3 (1 ‘45’, 1 2pt free), Ben Crealey (2pt), Andrew Murnin (2pt) 0-2 each, Jason Duffy, Cian McConville 0-1 each.
Donegal
1. Shaun Patton (St Eunan’s)
2. Finbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill) 3. Brendan McCole (St Naul’s) 17. Mark Curran (Dungloe)
5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar) 7. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs) 4. Peader Mogan (St Naul’s)
6. Caolan McGonigle (Buncrana) 9. Ciaran Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
10. Seán O’Donnell (St Eunan’s) 11. Conor O’Donnell (St Eunan’s) 12. Ciaran Moore (St Eunan’s)
13. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar) 14. Oisin Gallen (Ballybofey) 15. Jamie Brennan (Bundoran)
Subs:
18. Daire ÓBaoill (Gaoth Dobhair) for Roarty (HT)
22. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly) for Brennan (44m)
24. Niall O’Donnell (St Eunan’s) for Gallen (55m)
19. Eoin McHugh (Kilcar) for Shane O’Donnell (58m)
20. Odhran Doherty (Naomh Conaill) for Conor O’Donnell (61m)
Armagh
1. Ethan Rafferty (Granemore)
2. Thomas McCormack (Annaghmore) 3. Barry McCambridge (Clann Éireann) 4. Aidan Forker (Maghery)
24. Gareth Murphy (Killeavy) 6. Greg McCabe (Camlough) 7. Ross McQuillan (Cullyhanna)
8. Ben Crealey (Maghery) 9. Niall Grimley (Madden)
10. Jason Duffy (Cullyhanna) 11. Darragh McMullan (Madden) 12. Jemar Hall (Forkhill)
13. Conor Turbitt (Clann Éireann) 14. Andrew Murnin (St Paul’s) 15. Oisin Conaty (Tir na nÓg)
Subs:
22. Stefan Campbell (Clan na Gael) for Hall (31m)
18. Jarly Óg Burns (Silverbridge) for Murphy (HT)
21. Cian McConville (Crossmaglen) for McQuillan (53m)
19. Callum O’Neill (Clan na Gael) for Turbitt (62m)
Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)
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Armagh Donegal GAA Gaelic Football Guess who's back