Michael Murphy returns for Donegal in comfortable win over Armagh

Orchard captain Aidan Forker was dismissed for a headbutt to Murphy's chest. 

HERO'S WELCOME: Michael Murphy of Donegal signs autographs after the game. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Donegal 0-21 Armagh 1-10 

Donegal have opened the Allianz League Division 1 campaign by defeating the last three All-Ireland champions.

In Ballybofey, there was another headline - the return of Michael Murphy after almost three years away. The 2012 All-Ireland winning captain kicked three points.

Even before that, just seconds after he was introduced on 44 minutes, Armagh captain Aidan Forker gave a welcome back shoulder and with the handbags going over and back, Forker decided to drive his head - not with much strength - into Murphy’s chest and saw the line.

Donegal, at that stage, were 0-13 to 1-5 in front, although Armagh had begun the second half with a couple of two-pointers, through Ben Crealey and then Andrew Murnin.

However, Donegal - who scored 21 one-pointers - had too many scoring threats as the content became stretched and added to their successes over Dublin and Kerry.

In the first half, although Armagh managed to score belter of a goal thorough Darragh McMullan on eight minutes, they didn’t register again till the very end of the half, by which time Donegal had spun off 10 in succession.

At the break, Donegal were 0-12 to 1-3 in front and were wary of comebacks they had seen from Dublin and Derry the night beforehand. In Patrick McBrearty they kept the scoreboard going and the likes of Jamie Brennan, Oisin Gallen, Ciaran Thompson, Conor O’Donnell and Ryan McHugh all played their part.

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

Scorers for Armagh: Darragh McMullan 1-1, Ethan Rafferty 0-3 (1 2pt, 1 ’45), Andrew Murnin 0-2 (1 2pt), Ben Crealey 0-2 (1 2pt), Jason Duffy, Cian McConville 0-1.

DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Mark Curran, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Caolan McGonagle, Ciaran Thompson; Shane O’Donnell, Conor O’Donnell, Ciaran Moore; Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen, Jamie Brennan. Subs: Daire O Baoill for Roarty (half-time), Michael Murphy for Brennan (44), Niall O’Donnell for Gallen (55), Eoin McHugh for S.ODonnell (59), Odhran Doherty for C.O’Donnell (61).

ARMAGH: Ethan Rafferty; Tomas McCormack, Barry McCambridge, Aidan Forker; Gareth Murphy, Greg McCabe, Ross McQuillan; Ben Crealey, Niall Grimley; Jason Duffy, Darragh McMullan, Jemar Hall; Conor Turbitt, Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty. Subs: Stefan Campbell for Hall (31), Jarly Og Burns for Murphy (half-time), Cian McConville for McQuillan (53), Callum O’Neill for Turbitt (62).