Donegal hurlers see off Fermanagh in Nicky Rackard Cup

FOURTEEN-MAN DONEGAL produced an improved second half showing to defeat Fermanagh in the Nicky Rackard Cup Round 2B in Letterkenny this afternoon.

Donegal 3-15 Fermanagh 3-11

The side managed by Ardal McDermott made heavy work of it against the side from Division 3B but after a tough year themselves having suffered relegation from Division 2B, Donegal can take some spirit from a first win of the calendar year.

Photo caption: The Donegal team before this afternoon’s Nicky Rackard Cup Round 2B fixture against Fermanagh in Letterkenny. Photo: Geraldine Diver

As has been the case on a number of occasions this term, there were positives in defeat in the 2-19 to 3-13 reversal against Armagh in the first round last week.

Today, having lost Justin McGhee to a second yellow card on 34 minutes and trailing by two points at half-time, the home side were possibly a little vulnerable. But Donegal produced more in the second half  to get through the tie, although there was certainly an occasional sense of nervousness in the air around O’Donnell Park.

It was Fermanagh who made the better start attacking the Town End goals. The side managed by Seams McCusker were 0-4 to 0-2 in front with Sean Corrigan showing an indication of his talents.#

However, by the 18th minute Donegal were on terms at 0-4 apiece with Niall Cleary and Lee Henderson adding to early scores from McVeigh and Bernard Lafferty.

But that merely acted as a prelude to the game’s opening goal, which arrived on 18 minutes when Rory Porteous tucked home following a pass from Corrigan.

That made it 1-4 to 0-4 but Donegal soon produced a goal of their own when McVeigh finished like an arrow past Cathal McGarry after a pass from Ronan McDermott on 28 minutes.

All hands to the pump in Letterkenny today for the hurlers of Donegal and Fermanagh. Photo: Geraldine Diver

Six minutes later, Fermanagh scored their second goal when a stinging shot from John Paul McGarry. And when McGhee was sent off a minute later, Donegal headed for the dressing room 2-5 to 1-6 down.

Whatever Ardal McDermott said at the break seemed to have worked as Donegal have worked as the 14 men produced a positive third quarter.

In that period Donegal went from two down to 2-13 to 2-6 in front with Henderson, Bernard Lafferty, Danny Cullen and Paul Sheridan all scoring points.

Then, on 47 minutes, substitute Kevin Campbell, who was only on the field three minutes, scored a goal on the turn following Lafferty’s ball in.

Donegal, seven points to the good, looked comfortable but when Corrigan trickled a goal for the visitors on 57 minutes the doubts returned.

However, Donegal maintained their cushion with a third goal five minutes from time when Ciaran Mathewson tucked home a rebound when McGarry, the Fermanagh goalkeeper, saved from Ronan McDermott for 3-14 to 3-8.

Fermanagh finished strongly and came back to four down and saw a late free from Ryan Bogue stopped bravely by Paul Burns, the Donegal goalkeeper.

Donegal will play the winners of Monaghan or Fingal.