Donegal 3-16 Armagh 1-06
There was a comprehensive win for Jim McGuinness on his return as Donegal manager with his team proving much too strong for a young Armagh side in the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey.
The signs were good from the opening minutes when Michael Langan burst through to fire to the roof of the net. Donegal fielded five debutants at the start and brought on a sixth in the second half.
A second goal from Kevin McGettigan was momentarily cancelled out by a good three pointer from Luke McKeever of Armagh, but by half-time Donegal led 2-06 to 1-03.
With the introduction of some of the senior players in the second half, most notably Oisin Gallen, Donegal pulled away.
Langan found Gallen in the opening minute for a third goal and from there it was one-way traffic with Gallen finishing with 1-04, equalling man of the match Michael Langan on the scoreboard
"From our point of view we're happy," said Jim McGuinness, who said he was happy to get all of his 26 players an equal amount of game time.
"Once we saw the Armagh team lineup during the week we knew they were coming with a young side so we prepared accordingly.
"Listen, it was nothing as regards the (Armagh) team we will meet in the fourth round of the league.
"It was good to be back in MacCumhaill Park in front of our own supporters. We have another game on Sunday (against Tyrone) and we're looking forward to that but we know it will be a much sterner test as regards the calibre of player that will be on the pitch," added McGuinness, who had great praise for 17-year-old Finbarr Roarty, one of the six debutants, who was kicking a ball at senior level for the county before doing so for his club Naomh Conaill.
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Kevin McGettigan (1-00); Ryan McHugh (0-01, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí (0-01), Ciaran Moore; Jason McGee, Michael Langan (1-04); Oisin Caulfield, Ciaran Thompson, Daire Ó Baoill; Aaron Doherty (0-01), Patrick McBrearty (0-02,0-02f), Seanan Carr. Subs: Odhran Doherty (0-01), Peadar Mogan (0-01), Oisin Gallen (1-04,0-01f), Stephen McMenamin, Coalan McGonagle (0-01), Jamie Brennan and Shane O'Donnell on for Ó Baoill, Moore, A Doherty, McGettigan, McGee, Carr and Caulfield (half-time); John Ross Molloy and Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde for Mac Ceallabhuí and Roarty (50), Daithí Roberts and Rory O’Donnell for Patton and Langan (53)
Armagh: Rhys Stevens; Cathal Agnew, Sam McClarnon, Conor Magennis; Emmett Magee, Luke McKeever (1-00), Joe Sheridan (0-01); Tadhg Grimley, Paddy Carr; Sean Conlon, Brendan O’Hagan (0-03,0-03f), Callum O’Neill (0-01); Cianan Campbell (0-01), Daniel Magee, Michael McConville. Subs: Fergal O’Brien for Carr (29), Conor Lennon for Stevens (half-time), Tomás Galvin for Campbell (46)
Referee: Maggie Farrelly (Cavan)
Elsewhere in the Dr McKenna Cup first round, Mickey Harte also got off to a winning start with Derry as his side edged out Cavan 0-15 to 1-10 at Kingspan Breffni Park, while Monaghan were 1-15 to 0-13 winners over Antrim in Castleblaney.
Meanwhile in the O'Byrne Cup, Kildare beat Carlow 2-17 to 0-10 at Netwatch Cullen Park to book a quarter-final against Wexford, with Declan Kelly's 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘆 to meet reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin after a narrow 1-11 to 0-12 victory over Laois in Stradbally.
Kerry got their year off on a victorious note in the McGrath Cup as they coasted to a 3-20 to 0-10 win over Tipperary at Austin Stack Park, while Cork beat Clare 2-14 to 0-08 in Clarecastle.
