Michael Murphy returns as Donegal overpower Armagh with ease in Ballybofey

The Donegal record under Jim McGuinness in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey continued with an impressive win over Armagh.  The victory brings the manager’s record there in league and championship to 15 without defeat.

The big talking point prior to the game was the inclusion of Michael Murphy in the 26 man panel and when he was introduced after 44 minutes the Donegal supporters in the 13,109 attendance got what they wanted.

At the time of Murphy’s introduction Armagh were threatening to spoil the Donegal party but from then to the finish Donegal put the foot down and never looked in trouble. Armagh were not helped by losing captain Aidan Forker to a red card for welcoming Murphy onto the field. What Forker did was inexcusable and especially so from the team’s leader.

Everything was happening in Ballybofey. A power cut left no hooter at the half-time break but when Sean Hurson blew Donegal were ahead by 0-12 to 1-3.

The opening four points were shared with Ethan Rafferty converting a '45 and Darragh Mullin pointed while in between Conor O'Donnell and Jamie Brennan found the range for Donegal.

Jarly Og Burns, on the field as a blood substitute, created a goal opening which Darragh McMullin fired past Shaun Patton on 10 minutes. The part played by corner-back Tomas McCormack was vital.

Then it seemed as Armagh went on holidays as Donegal dominated the rest of the half to fire 10 unanswered points, all but one from play before Jason Duffy eventually hit the only other Armagh score on the stroke of half-time.

Patrick McBrearty (3), Ryan McHugh and Oisin Gallen (2) and Peadar Mogan were the Donegal scorers in an impressive shooting performance for the home side. The only thing missing in the opening half was a two pointer. It was an impressive response to the Armagh goal.

Despite not having any two pointers, the cohesiveness and speed of the Donegal play was easy on the eye and by game’s end they had nine different scorers.

The value of the two pointer was clear as Ben Crealey and Andrew Murnin cut the lead to just two points inside seven minutes. In between Donegal had a great goal chance as Ethan Rafferty denied Jamie Brennan and Oisin Gallen at point blank range.

After a couple of bad misses, Patrick  McBrearty got Donegal’s first point to edge Donegal three clear again before the biggest roar of the day saw Michael Murphy enter the fray on 44 minutes. He was greeted by Aidan Forker who was shown a straight red card for his actions.

Murphy then punished a poor kick-out to fire over with his left and he quickly added another to put Donegal five up again. Patrick McBrearty and Ciaran Thompson added to their tally. Ethan Rafferty kept Armagh in the contest with another two pointer after what seemed a very harsh free against Peadar Mogan while Donegal should have had a goal when a quick break found Patrick McBrearty free but he opted to fire over for a point.

Odhran Doherty added another after a magnificent piece of fielding by Michael Murphy and the Glenswilly man completed the scoring with the last point from a free in what was a very good overall Donegal performance.

Donegal will be happy with the outcome having scored 18 points from play and no two pointers. In their opening three games they have amassed 0-20, 0-23 and 0-21 and are now sitting on their own on the top of the Allianz League Division 1. They limited Armagh to eight scoring shots over the course of the game.

Donegal scorers: Patrick McBrearty 0-6,1f; Michael Murphy 0-3,1f; Jamie Brennan, Ryan McHugh, Conor O’Donnell, Ciaran Thompson, Oisin Gallen (1f) 0-2 each; Peadar Mogan, Odhran Doherty 0-1 each.

Armagh scorers: Darragh McMullin 1-1; Ethan Rafferty 0-3,1’45’,1tpf; Ben Crealey (1tp), Andrew Murrin (1tp) 0-2 each; Jason Duffy, Cian McConville 0-1 each.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Mark Curran; Caolan McGonagle, Ciaran Thompson; Shane O’Donnell, Conor O’Donnell, Ciaran Moore; Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen, Jamie Brennan.

Subs: Dáire Ó Baoill for Roarty (ht); Michael Murphy  for Brennan (44); Niall O’Donnell for Gallen (55); Eoin McHugh for S O’Donnell (59); Odhrán Doherty for C O’Donnell (61)

Armagh: Ethan Rafferty; Tomas McCormack, Barry McCambridge, Aidan  Forker; Garreth Murphy, Greg McCabe, Ross McQuillan; Ben Crealey, Niall  Grimley; Jason Duffy, Darragh McMullin, Jemar Hall; Conor Turbitt, Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty.

Subs: Stefan Campbell for Hall (30); Jarly Og Burns for Murphy (ht); Cian McConville for McQuillan (53); Callum O’Neill for Turbitt (62)

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)