Fermanagh give Donegal a real scare at the Scarvey in U-20 championship opener

A brave Fermanagh effort succumbed to what was, at times, a wasteful Donegal in a U-20 thriller at The Scarvey.

The Erne County led for most of the game, but a late point from Kalvin McLaughlin sealed the deal for the home side, who also hit 17 wides.

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Gary Boyle’s hosts - who lined out without their captain and senior star Finnbarr Roarty - just had a little too much quality on the night but Fermanagh were well in the game in Buncrana.

The visiting underdogs had a superb opening ten minutes and led by 1-5 to 0-0 as Donegal lost senior star Conor McCahill to an early injury.

Nathan Beattie opened the scoring from a free, and another free from Mattie McDermott went all the way to the Donegal net.

Shell-shocked Donegal replied with three wides and found it hard to break down a well-organised Erne rearguard, urged on by vocal coach Ronan Gallagher.

McDermott added a two-pointer for the visitors, with Beattie making it 1-5 to 0-0 before Shane Callaghan got Donegal’s first point in the 11th minute.

Callaghan added another over from a free, and the impressive Kevin Muldoon also clipped over, as did Callum McCrea to make it 1-6 to 0-4 after Daire Chapman responded for Fermanagh.

Donegal hit back with a converted penalty from Muldoon after Fermanagh’s Oisin Swift made a foot block, leaving just two points between the sides.

The frenetic pace continued as a great Donegal move ended with Muldoon finding Donnachadh Ó Baoighill, who levelled matters with a fine goal at 1-7 to 2-4.

But there was more drama before the break as Chapman and Dylan Mulholland swapped points.

However, Fermanagh struck for another goal when Chapman batted a cross to the Donegal net. Kalvin McLaughlin got the last score of the half as Fermanagh led 2-8 to 2-6 after an exciting opening period.

Muldoon opened the scoring with a left-footed point on the resumption.

Donegal were winning some turnovers but continued to hit wides.

Mattie McDermott replied in kind for Fermanagh to lead 2-9 to 2-7, and Daire Treacy made it a three-point game as Fermanagh pressed high with high-risk tactics.

Tomas Carr pointed in the 40th minute in what was now a ding-dong affair while Eoghan Scott also hoisted over a fine point for Donegal.

But the Ernesiders edged further ahead through a goal from team captain Rory Smyth, making it 3-10 to 1-10.

Donegal were gaining plenty of possession and the pressure on the visitors began to tell as sub Thomas Lenehan hit three excellent points, including a crucial late two-pointer.

It looked like ending in a draw before McLaughlin put Donegal in front deep into injury time for the first and crucial time.

Donegal: scorers:  Kevin Muldoon 1-3, 1 pen; Donnachadh Ó Baoighill 1-0, Shane Callaghan 0-3,1f; Thomas Lenehan 0-2, 1tp; Kalvin McLaughlin and Dylan Mulholland 0-2 each, Eoghan Scott, Callum McCrea and Tomas Carr 0-1 each.

Fermanagh scorers: Nathan Beattie 1-3, 2f; Daire Chapman 1-2; Mattie McDermott 0-4, 1tp; Rory Smyth 1-0; Daire Treacy and Michael Burns 0-1 each.

Donegal: Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride; Cathal Ó Gallchoir, Cathal Mac Aoidh, Aaron Neely; Eoghan Scott, Callum McCrea, Max Campbell; Kalvin McLaughlin, Kevin Muldoon; Dylan Mulholland, Turlough Carr, Tomas Carr; Conor McCahill, Shane Callaghan, Donnachadh Ó Baoighill.

Subs: Jamie Gavigan for Conor McCahill (3, inj), Thomas Lenehan for Donnacha Boyle, Shane Sweeney for Eoghan Scott, Ciaran Cassidy for Dylan Mulholland (46).

Fermanagh: Patrick O’Sullivan; Rian Kennedy, Eamon Óg Magee, Matthew Maguire; Conor Casey, Oisin Swift, Ben Warnock; Conan Donohoe, Conor Mulligan; Daire Treacy, Daire Chapman, Rory Smyth; Nathan Beattie, Mattie McDermott, Michael Burns.

Subs: Daniel McGovern for Michael Burns (48), James Hanna for Ben Warnock (57).

Referee: Chris Brady (Monaghan)