Donegal's incredible form continued with a well earned four point win over season strugglers Armagh.
The result gives the Division 1 table-toppers four wins from as many games, whereas the Orchard are still searching for their second win, having lost their last three.
It was a game where Donegal kept Armagh at arms-length but at the same time, Kieran McGeeney’s side had chances to swing the game in the closing stages and missed a late, penalty and a two-pointer free.
It was a magnificent game of football, played in front of 10,256 fans at Armagh’s Box-IT Athletic Grounds. The heavy rain, made the pitch slippy but it didn’t detract from the quality of football both sides served up/
Jason Magee was easily the Man of Match with his magnificent high fielding in ferocious midfield battle, while also popping up with four vital points from play.
Michael Langan’s two-pointer got the ball rolling and Oisin Gallen soon followed up with a score before Oisin O’Neill (free) got Armagh off the mark.
It was a game that saw some excellent defending, with Donegal’s young Finbarr Roarty making a timely interception to deny Callum O’Neill in the closing stages, while Armagh’s Darragh McMullan did likewise to Donegal’s Conor Cahill who was a late call up to the team, in place of Shea Malone.
Jarly Og Burns and Oisin Conaty traded points with Ryan McHugh and Eoghan Ban Gallagher before Michael Langan fired over his second two-pointer to give Donegal a 0-07 to 0-03.
Armagh fought their way back into the contest chaos and two Cian McConville points closed the gap and his Crossmaglen club-mate and cousin Oisin O’Neill delivered a fine brace of points to level the score, if only briefly.
That’s because Jason Magee and Conor Cahill hit back almost immediately before goalkeeper Gavin Mulreaney steered over a two-point free. Donegal also kicked three efforts wide, including Ryan McHugh’s ambitious long-range daisy-cutter.
Magee’s second and another from Shane O’Donnell either side of Ross McQuillian’s stunning strike left four points between the sides at the break but with the wind to Armagh’s back it was all still to play for.
Half-time: Armagh 0-09 Donegal 0-13
Armagh had little to show for their dominance at the restart, they kicked four wide in as many minutes and dropped two efforts short and it was their wastefulness in front of goal, which proved costly.
Whereas Donegal rattled 1-02 past Armagh in a five minute spell, three of those minutes the table-toppers held possession for three minutes, forcing the Orchard to defend before Conor O’Donnell put on the burners and played a one-two with Langan before tucking his shot sweetly past Blaine Hughes in the Armagh goal.
Oisin Conaty could have made it a two-point game but keeper Mulreany pulled over a great save at the near post. Still with momentum behind them points followed from Conor Turbitt, Ross McQuillan and Ben Crealey.
However, Donegal showed why they are the best team in the country at the moment with magnificent point from the brilliant Jason McGee and after Conor O'Donnell put the burners on he fired over a beauty.
Darragh McMullan scored Armagh’s only two-pointer but Donegal’s reply was instant and keeper Mulreaney converted another two-point free.
Oisin O’Neill (free) made it a four point game and then Armagh were awarded a penalty with 66.51 on the clock. Again Donegal keeper Mulreaney was hero as he denied Oisin Conaty with a magnificent save and full-back Brendan Cole blocked Conaty’s second effort on the line.
Again, Armagh still created chances, but Oisin O’Neill’s attempted two-pointer drifted wide and Donegal had done enough to see the game out.
Donegal look the team to be beaten with games against Galway, Roscommon and Monaghan to come, while Armagh’s fight for divisional status comes into focus as they make trips to Mayo and Dublin before entertaining All-Ireland champions Kerry at home.
Armagh: Blaine Hughes, Greg McCabe, Gareth Murphy, Pete McGrane, Ross McQuillan (0-03), Tiernan Kelly, Jarly Óg Burns (0-01), Callum O’Neill (0-01), Ben Crealey (0-01), Dara McMullen (0-2, 1tp), Conor Turbitt (0-01), Jason Duffy, Cian McConville (0-03), Oisin O’Neill (0-06, 3f), Oisin Conaty (0-01).
Subs: Tomas McCormack for Crealey (10 to 13), Fergal O’Brien for Duffy (61), Tomas McCormick for McConville (67),
Donegal: Gavin Multreany (0-04 2tpf), Eoghan Ban Gallagher (0-01), Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan, Ryan McHugh (0-01), Coalan McGonagle, Finbarr Roarty, Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan (0-04, 2tp), Shane O’Donnell (0-01), Conor O’Donnell (1-01), Ciaran Moore, Conor McCahill (0-02), Jason McGee (0-04) Oisin Gallen (0-02).
Subs: Turlough Carr for Shane O’Donnell (46), Shea Malone for C Cahill (52), Paul O’Hare for O Gallen (55), Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride for Moore (65),
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).
