POLL: Who was your Anthony Conaghan Cars Match of the Match?

THE BIG GAME of the weekend was undoubtedly in Ballybofey where Donegal began their 2016 Ulster SFC campaign with a 2-12 to 0-11 win over Fermanagh.

This week, our Player of the Week poll is a Man of the Match verdict from yesterday’s big game at Sean Mac Cumhaill Park.

Picture caption: The Donegal team line up before the start of the game. Picture by Geraldine Diver.

1.Odhrán Mac Niallais

ONE of those days where Odhrán Mac Niallais clicked. The Gaoth Dobhair man scored Donegal’s two goals. His first arrived in the 13^th minute and what a finish it was, arrowing past Chris Snow via the underside of the crossbar. The second came ten minutes into the second half, palming to the net following a fine move by Donegal. Mac Niallais also curled over a wonderful point with his left foot and was central to the win.

2.Eoin McHugh

A FIRST Championship appearance from the Kilcar man, who watched and waited for a chance all last summer. It arrived yesterday and while he admitted that the occasion did take him by surprise before 15,000 spectators, it didn’t show in his performance. McHugh was excellent and scored two points, the second of them a sumptuous effort late in the game.

3.Mark Anthony McGinley

THE St Michael’s goalkeeper was filling the shoes of the now-departed Paul Durcan and all eyes were on McGinley. By and large it was a Championship debut to remember for McGinley. He did punt two kickouts over the sideline in the first half, but he more than made up for it with two crucial saves. After earlier denying Ruairí Corrigan at close range, McGinley’s penalty save from Sean Quigley was perhaps the game’s big moment.

4. Ryan McHugh

ONE of the most vital cogs in the Donegal wheel, McHugh had another fine game yesterday. At one stage, he was moved into the full-back line and given the job of shackling Ruairí Corrigan. When the Fermanagh forward was taken off, it allowed McHugh to roam again. The way he carries ball into opposition territory makes him a threat for any side.

5. Tomás Corrigan

CORRIGAN didn’t live up to the expectations his previous showing against Antrim had rose, but he still ended the day as Fermanagh’s top marksman with seven frees. Corrigan didn’t score from play, but those seven points were key to Fermanagh staying in the game – until Donegal pulled away.

 Loading ...