Donegal opened their 2024 McKenna Cup campaign with an impressive 3-16 to 1-6 win over an understrength Armagh team in their opening Section A game in Ballybofey.
In front of an attendance of 3,825, Donegal got the perfect start inside the opening 90 seconds, when debutant Finbarr Roarty set up midfielder Michael Langan for a fine goal.
Roarty, who has yet to play senior football for his club, Naomh Conaill, set the rare milestone on Wednesday night of making his senior intercounty debut before his senior club debut.
Donegal added a second goal later in the opening half through their other corner-back, Kevin McGettigan following a patient build-up.
The concession of that second goal sparked an Armagh response – with Luke McKeever fisting a long ball in past Donegal keeper Shaun Patton.
However, the home side finished the half the stronger to establish a 2-6 to 1-3 interval lead.
Jim McGuinness could afford to make nine substitutions during the course of the second half without affecting the home side’s momentum.
Oisín Gallen’s first contribution after the restart was to find the back of the Armagh net – which moved Donegal nine points clear.
From there on, Donegal were in complete control with Player of the Match Michael Langan scoring 1-4 en route to victory.
📺 HIGHLIGHTS: @officialdonegal had plenty to spare over a youthful @Armagh_GAA side in Ballybofey last night, Jim McGuinness marking his managerial return with a 3-16 to 1-06 win in the @BankofIrelandUK McKenna Cup 🏐🏆#BOIMcKennaCup24 pic.twitter.com/kobg5r7NR7
— Ulster GAA (@UlsterGAA) January 4, 2024
It is worth noting that Armagh were without many of their established intercounty stars with county U20 boss Barry ‘Bumpy’ O’Hagan deputising for the absent Kieran McGeeney on the the sideline – and this was reflected in a number of under-20 orchard players getting an opportunity on the senior stage in this game.
Donegal next play Tyrone this Sunday afternoon in Omagh (1pm).
Elsewhere, Mickey Harte made a winning start to his tenure as Derry manager with a two-point win over Cavan at Kingspan Breffni.
In Section C, Monaghan had five points to spare over Antrim in Castleblayney.
Wednesday’s McKenna Cup results
Section A
Donegal 3-16 Armagh 1-6
Section B
Cavan 1-10 Derry 0-15
Section C
Monaghan 1-15 Antrim 0-13
