Donegal clinch Division two title with narrow win over Armagh

The two teams spent the first 64 minutes presenting a compelling argument to scrap the Sunday League finals.

CHAMPIONS: Donegal’s Ciarán Thompson and captain Patrick McBrearty lift the trophy

Donegal 0-15 Armagh 0-14

Armagh and Donegal spent the first 64 minutes presenting a compelling argument to scrap the Sunday League finals.

Equally convincing was the counter argument they pulled from nowhere in the closing 10 minutes.

Save for that 10-minute stretch at the finish, this Division 2 decider was devoid of quality or interest. It was devoid of anything to bring you remotely close to the edge of your seat.

We might as well begin and place focus on the last lap given it is hardly worth recounting what came before.

From half-time to the 63rd minute, this Division 2 decider produced just six scores. From the 64th minute to the fourth minute of injury-time, there were nine white flags.

Rory Grugan’s 64th minute free was Armagh’s first score in 24 minutes. It brought an end to their seemingly never-ending series of missed chances.

Darragh McMullan was thrice off target, Stefan Campbell fluffed a goal opening, Peter McGrane saw his goal shot saved, sub Rian O’Neill was off target from the placed ball, and Andrew Murnin and Grugan both hit the post. And on and one went their third quarter squandary.

Grugan’s kick to end their scoreless spell was the first of a five-minute five-in-a-row. Oisín O’Neill was at the end of that sequence to shove the Orchard into a scarcely believable 0-13 to 0-12 lead.

Donegal No.6 Caolan McGonagle pointed six seconds into injury-time for their first score in 21 minutes. Oisín Gallen subsequently returned them in front.

His namesake Conaty brought Armagh level as a game that slept walk for so long continued to soar up through the gears.

Aaron Doherty’s 73rd minute winner brought the curtain down on a delightfully chaotic and most welcome closing 10 minutes.

The evenness of the opening half could not mask the complete absence of urgency. Level on seven occasions, but sadly lacking in intensity. There was no want. It was challenge game casual.

Donegal kicked the final score of the half to position themselves in front turning around. 0-8 to 0-7. It was a score stemming from a Jarly Óg Burns misplaced pass just outside the opposition 20-metre line. 

Peter McGrane of Armagh in action against Donegal players, from left, Jamie Brennan, Hugh McFadden and Shane O'Donnell during the Allianz Football League Division 2 Final match between Armagh and Donegal at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Niall O’Donnell made the intercept, Caolan McGonagle made many, many yards with a surging run through the middle, and it was Ciarán Thompson who successfully made the kick.

Thompson’s effort was launched from just outside the semi-circle, an area where Donegal enjoyed a surprising amount of space throughout the half. Thompson’s haul of three from play was testament to such.

For all their 13 bodies back, Armagh were failing in the rather simple task of pushing up and out on the Donegal kicker directly in front of goal.

McGuinness’ men kicked five first-half wides, had a Kevin McGettigan double goal chance repelled early on, and the resultant 45 sent short.

Oisín Conaty was presented with Armagh’s outstanding goal chance of the opening period on 10 minutes. His shot, though, was smothered by McGonagle. They did at least get a Burns white flag from the incisive play.

Grugan, who was involved in the creation of the goal chance, provided Armagh’s and the game’s two outstanding points of the half, both nonchalantly directed over with the left.

Grugan was one of several players who left scores behind in the third quarter. That and their defence of the semi-circle zone are two of the more pressing areas to be fixing ahead of Armagh’s Ulster opener against Fermanagh in two weeks’ time.

Donegal head for their championship opener against Derry with silverware banked. A second Division 2 crown for McGuinness and Donegal, 13 years after their first. Jimmy is back winning matches.

Scorers for Donegal: C Thompson (0-4, 0-1 free), O Gallen (0-4, 0-1 mark, 0-1 free); N O’Donnell (0-3); C McGonagle, S O’Donnell, P Mogan, A Doherty (0-1 each).

Scorers for Armagh: R Grugan (0-4, 0-2 frees), C Turbitt (0-4, 0-2 frees); J Óg Burns, O Conaty (0-2 each); S Campbell, O O’Neill (0-1 each).

Donegal: S Patton; M Curran, C Moore, C McColgan; C McGonagle, K McGettigan, S O’Donnell; M Langan, J McGee; P Mogan, C Thompson, L McGlynn; N O’Donnell, O Gallen, A Doherty.

Subs: J Brennan for McGettigan, O Doherty for McGlynn (both HT); H McFadden for McGee (44); J Mac Ceallabhuí for McColgan (60); C MacAonghusa for O’Donnell (62).

Armagh: B Hughes; A Forker, P Burns, P McGrane; G McCabe, A McKay, J Óg Burns; Ciarán Mackin, B Crealey; D McMullan, R Grugan, J McElroy; C Turbitt, A Murnin, O Conaty.

Subs: S Campbell for Forker (42); R O’Neill for McElroy (48); O O’Neill for McMullan (60); J Duffy for Mackin (69).

Referee: P Faloon (Down).