Nicky Rackard Cup round one: Armagh 2-19 Donegal 3-13
FAVOURITES Armagh were pushed to the pin of their collar on their home turf on Saturday as Donegal produced a superb final quarter rally which just came up short.
It all looked so elementary as the NHL Division 2B champions breezed into an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead but by the 10th minute deficiencies in their full-back line were revealed when live-wire corner-forward Sean McVeigh pounced for the first of his hat-trick.
Armagh looked at times as if they were going through motions and were left with a game on their hands when McVeigh’s third green flag 15 minutes from time narrowed the gap to four points.
Wind-assisted in the opening period, Armagh led 1-14 to 2-6 at the break and when Conor Corvan’s 43rd minute goal pushed them seven points clear, it looked as if Donegal had precious little left in the tank. However, they rallied magnificently and, despite accumulating several wides outscored Armagh 1-4 to 0-3 in the latter stages.
Conor Corvan pointed after 50 seconds and Armagh were never headed as Cathal Carvill’s fifth minute goal giving them a 1-3 to 0-1 advantage. Donegal responded with the first of McVeigh’s majors followed by Danny Cullen’s equalising point on 12 minutes.
David Carvill restored the home lead and points from Ryan Gaffney (two) and Cathal Carvill pushed them 1-8 to 1-4 clear. McVeigh’s 21st minute goal somewhat against the run of play had it down to the minimum but once more the Orchard were able to up the tempo with a brace of Peter McKearney points.
Donegal were first on the scoreboard on the restart but Bernard Lafferty’s white flag was trumped by a Conor Corvan goal and two David Carvill points.
However, Donegal weren’t finished as McVeigh completed his hat-trick when getting a touch to a long delivery and suddenly it was all to play for. Gaffney, converted his second 65 to give Armagh their first score in 15 minutes and Conor Corvan tagged on another.
Entering the final 10 minutes Armagh led 2-18 to 3-11 but Donegal closed in thanks to points from Ciaran Matthewson and Lee Henderson. Deep in time added on Gaffney pointed a free to make matters safe.
Armagh manager Sylvester Mc Connell was expecting a big game from Donegal, knowing that they would be out to restore pride after being relegated in the league.
“It was a tough game, we knew Donegal were going to be tough opponents, they got relegated and were very determined to put on a good show to-day which they did,” he said.
“It was a good tight game for our boys, our boys will come on from it. It’s getting back up on that ladder again after winning the League, so it’s just another stepping stone.”
Donegal boss Ardal McDermot was able to look at the positives.
“The lads put in a real battling performance,” he said.
“We are still in the Nicky Rackard Cup, and are still confident.
It’s probably as narrow a defeat we ever had to Armagh on their home pitch.
“In the second half we were inclined to go for goals too early, maybe we should have worked the scoreboard better.
“Armagh were just that bit more clinical, they knew how to take scores and maybe if we’d had done that we may have had a chance to get ahead of them. If we had taken our points we would have been in it even better.”
MATCH STATS
Armagh: S Doherty; C Clifford, A McGuinness, K McKernan; S Gaffney, N Curry (0-1 free), C Devlin; J Corvan, S Renaghan; P McKearney (0-3), C Carvill (1-2), D Carvill (0-3); J King, R Gaffney (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-2 65s), C Corvan (1-2). Subs: P Hughes for Devlin (h-t), P McGrane for Renaghan (44), L Woods for King (66).
Donegal: P Burns; P Doherty (0-1), J McGhee, S Gallen; J O’Loughlin, J Donnelly, N Cleary; P Sheridan, C McDermott; L Henderson (0-6, 0-5 frees), D Cullen (0-1), B Lafferty
(0-2); C Mathewson (0-1), P Hannigan, S McVeigh (3-2). Subs: R McDermott for Donnelly (32), S Doherty for C Mc Dermott (65).
Referee: E Hasson (Derry)
