While it may be hard to judge exactly exactly where they are at from this performance, there is no doubt that Donegal are hungry to prove the doubters wrong.
Donegal 3-16 Armagh 1-6
They brushed aside the test of Armagh in this first Dr McKenna Cup game at MacCumhaill Park before a crowd of almost 4,000 curious spectators.
By Charlie Collins at MacCumhaill Park
But the visitors had decided that they would use the competition as a testing ground for their U20 panel.
Jim McGuinness gave competitive debuts to five players , Naomh Conaill pair Finbarr Roarty and Kevin McGettigan , Ciaran Moore from St.Eunans, Oisín Caulfield from Na Rossa and Senan Carr from Four Masters .
Ryan Mc Hugh and Aaron Doherty made welcomed returns after seeing little action in 2023.
Michael Langan got Donegal off to the perfect start when he blasted to the net after good work by Paddy McBrearty and Finbarr Roarty in the first minute.
Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui and Aaron Doherty added excellent points from play and after ten minutes Donegal led by five, 1-02 to no score.
Joe Sheirdan finally got Armagh going with a point from a mark quickly followed by a fine long range effort from Luke McKeever in the 16th minute.
After a scoreless period, we had goals at either end with Kevin McGettigan for Donegal after great work by Jason Mc Gee and then Luke McKeever flicking the long ball in over the head of Shaun Patton into the net leaving it 2-02 to 1-02.
Micheal Langan, later awarded the man-of-the match, then kicked a super long range point and when Ryan McHugh was fouled, Patrick McBrearty converted the free and the lead was back to five points .
Callum O Neill replied for Armagh but Michael Langan added two cracking points to bring his total to 1-03 and Donegal led by double scores at half-time 2-06 to 1-03.
Donegal made seven changes at half-time and started as they had in the first-half with a first minute goal, Just introduced Oisín Gallen finishing Micheal Langan’s super long ball in, 3-06 to 1-03 and Donegal in control.
They continued to dominate and the points flew over, Oisín Gallen , Caolan McGonagle , Ryan McHugh , Patrick McBrearty , Gallen again , Michael Langan , Gallen again and then Odhran Doherty
Brendan O Hagan converted two Armagh frees to leave it 3-13 to 1-05 as Donegal introduced four more subs to clear the bench.
Peadar Mogan and Oisín Gallen with two more added to Donegal’s total as they ran out winners by 3-16 to 1-06 and now travel to Healy Park to face Tyrone where another win will clinch a semi-final spot.
Donegal ; Shaun Patton, Finbarr Roarty , Brendan McCole , Kevin McGettigan (1-0), Ryan McHugh (0-01), Jeaic MacCeallabhui (0-01), Ciaran Moore. , Jason McGee , Michael Langan ( 1-04), Oisin Caulfield , Ciaran Thompson , Daire O Boaill , Aaron Doherty (0-01), Patrick McBrearty (0-02), Senan Carr . Subs used : (All in second-half), Oisín Gallen (1-04), Caolan McGonagle (0-01 ), Shane O Donnell , Peadar Mogan 0-01), Odhran Doherty (0-01), Jamie Brennan , Stephen McMenamin, John Ross Molloy , Donal McBride, Daithi Roberts, Rory O Donnell.
Armagh ; Ryhs Stevens , Cathal Agnew , Sam McClaron , Conor Magennis , Emmet Magee , Luke McKeever (1-01) , Joe Shierdan (0-01), Tadhg Grimley , Paddy Carr , Sean Conlon , Brendan O Hagan (0-03), Callum O Neill (0-01), Cianon Campbell , Daniel Magee , Michael McConville . Subs used ; Fergal O Brien , Blaine Hughes ,Thomas Galvin ,
Referee ; Margaret Farrelly ( Cavan).
