Allianz Football League Division 2 heavyweights Armagh and Donegal couldn't be separated when the two sides clashed in the Box-It Athletic Grounds on Sunday.
Rian O’Neill’s first return to action this season looked to be sealed with a stunning winning score but Donegal’s Shane O’Donnell had other ideas as he levelled the game for the fifth time.
Still, in the final seconds, the Orchard side had a chance to claim all two league points but substitute Jarly Og Burns’ shot-cum pass fell short, after he did brilliantly to get himself into position.
Neither Donegal’s Jim McGuinness or Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney had any complaints on the result, as they look forward to playing Louth and Fermanagh respectively at the weekend.
A crowd of 11,252, packed into Armagh’s Box-IT Athletic Grounds on Sunday and it took while for the game catch the temperature the top-billing expected but it sprung to life when Andrew Murnin buried home the only goal in the game.
The St Paul’s man was one-on-one with Shuan Patton after Ciaran Mackin’s insightful pass.
That gave Armagh a 1-02 to 0-03 lead as Donegal had previously been in front thanks to two converted frees from Donegal captain Patrick McBrearty and a mark from Oisin Gallen, while Conor O’Neill replied with a brace of points for the Orchard.
The goal had the crowd urging Armagh to attack and Rory Grugan and Oisin Conaty delivered points but the Orchard failed to get the return their dominance demanded.
Donegal had been kept scoreless for 25 minutes but they still possessed a sting in their tail and with McBrearty in fine scoring form they cut Armagh’s half-time lead to a point (1-05 to 0-07) and might have actually gone in front had Ciaran Thompsons’ shot been lower.
Donegal were back in driving seat with three converted scores soon after the restart. McBrearty levelled with a free and Gallan followed up with a mark and free.
Like in the first period, it took Armagh time to get back into the game before Rory Grugan and substitute Jarly Og Burns stroked his effort between the posts. Murnin and Gallen traded points and the Armagh goalkeeper Blaine Hughes denied Gallen from a spot-kick with a fantastic save before O’Neill floated over a beauty, worthy of winning any game.
But Donegal worked a scoring opportunity and O’Donnell was on target to secure the league point.
Armagh scorers: Andrew Murnin (1-01), Conor O'Neill (0-02), Rory Grugan (0-02), Aidan Forker, Oisin Conaty, Jarly Og Burns, Rian O’Neill (0-01 each).
Donegal scorers: Paddy McBreaty (0-04, 0-2 frees), Oisin Gallen (0-04, 0-2 frees, 0-2 marks), Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan, Peadar Mogan, Shane O’Donnell (0-01 each)
ARMAGH: Blaine Hughes, Paddy Burns, Peter McGrane, Greg McCabe, Aidan Forker, Ciaran Mackin, Connaire Mackin, Conor O’Neill, Andrew Murnin, Rory Grugan, Joe McElroy, Cian McConville, Conor Turbitt, Oisin Conaty.
Subs: Jason Duffy for C McConville (ht’), Jarly Og Burns for Connaire Mackin (41’), Rian O’Neill for Forker (45’), Stefan Campbell for Turbitt (50’), Jemar Hall for O’Neill (66’),
DONEGAL: Shaun Patton, Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Stephen McMenamin, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonigle, Daire O Baoill, Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan, Peadar Mogan, Ciaran Moore, Odhran Doherty, Paddy McBreaty, Hugh McFadden.
Subs: Shane O’Donnell, for McFadden (40’), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui for Doherty (49’), Jamie Brennan for O Baoill (52’).
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).
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