Rory Gallagher came back to haunt his old side as Fermanagh came from four points down at half-time to beat Donegal by 0-13 to 0-10 at O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny and remain unbeaten in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League.
Donegal came into this Allianz League Division 2 game on the back of a defeat last time out in Tipperary.
The home side got off to the brighter start and knocked over the opening two scores through Jamie Brennan and Michael Langan and although Fermanagh replied with a score of their own things got better for Declan Bonner’s men as scores from Jason McGee,Oisin Gallen and Ciaran Thompson opened up a healthy 0-05 t0 0-01 lead.
Then came the first major turning point in the came as Donegal were reduced to 14 men when Caolan McGonagle was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card. Sean Quigley immediatly reduced the gap to 3 but Donegal responded well reeling off three scores through Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Michael Langan and Jason McGee again to led 0-08 to 0-04 at the interval.
Donegal quickly opened up a five-point lead at the start of the second period through Michael Langan but then the visitors took control of the contest.
Stephen McMenamin’s black card reduced Donegal to 13 for 10 minutes and this spurred the Erne county on. Scores from Quigley and the impressive Ciaran Corrigan made it 0-09 to 0-07 and although another Langan free gave Donegal a three-point lead, that was the end of the scoring as far as the hosts were concerned.
Fermanagh used their numerical advantage expertly and six points on the spin from the likes of Aidan Breen, Paul McCusker, Corrigan again and defender Ultan Kelm gave Gallagher’s charges a excellent boost not only in the League but also ahead of their Championship opener against the same opposition on May 26th.
Fermanagh now lead Division 2 on six points along with Meath – and are within touching distance of promotion. Donegal have now suffered back-to-back league defeats.
Declan Bonner’s side host Armagh at McCumhaill Park in Ballybofey next Saturday night while Fermanagh will hope to continue their promotion push at home to Clare on Sunday in Enniskillen.
Listen to Fermanagh boss Rory Gallagher here:
