McKENNA CUP SECTION A: Fermanagh 0-12 Donegal 0-7:DONEGAL'S BID for a third Dr McKenna Cup in a row came to a sudden end at MacCumhall Park, Ballybofey on Saturday night as Fermanagh gained their first competitive win for new manager John O'Neill.
Once they got their noses in front to lead 0-5 to 0-3 at the break, they were never in trouble in a lacklustre game.
Donegal needed to win by four points to secure a semi-final spot but their team line-out included seven debutants, and they never really threatened. Manager Jim McGuinness had one eye on the National League opener with Sligo next Saturday night and with injuries and a ’flu bug he rested many regulars, including full back Neil McGee, who had a red card picked up the previous week against Tyrone rescinded on appeal.
O’Neill will haver been impressed by young guns Barry Mulrone, Paul McGrath and Paul Ward.
“We rested a number of the seniors at the start like Karl Lacey and Neil McGee because they were carrying knocks,” said McGuinness. “I thought Jamie Doherty was very good for a player having his first senior outing.”
DONEGAL:P Boyle; T McKinley, E Doherty, F McGlynn; L Keaney, D Curran, K Cassidy; O Doherty, C Classon; P McNelis, J Doherty (0-2), O MacNiallais; A Hanlon (0-3, one free ), R McErlean, M Boyle (0-1). Subs:K Lacey (0-1) for M Boyle (21 mins) B Dunnion for McKinley, R Bradley for O Doherty (36 mins), P McGrath for McGlynn (55 mins), N McGee for Classon (57 mins).
FERMANAGH:F Murphy; P Sherry, B Owens, M Jones; P McCusker, B Malone, T McElroy; H Brady, J Melarkey; P McGrath (0-3, one free), K Cosgrove, N Cassidy; C Leonard, P Ward (0-4, one free), J Connolly (0-2). Subs:C Quigley for P Sherry (20 mins), T Corrigan (0-2, one free) for Leonard (42 mins), C Flaherty (0-1) for Cosgrove (47 mins).
Referee:Martin McErlean (Derry).
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