N.Y. GAA Shannon flows through Donegal

By Pierce O’Reilly

Fermanagh 3-11, Donegal 1-12

Billed as ranging favorites, Donegal juniors fell at the first fence on Sunday last and left their punters red-faced and embarrassed. It happened simply because Fermanagh wanted to win more. They played with pride and passion from the opening whistle and with Colm Shannon in front of goal they had a real gem. Shannon is a newcomer to the Erne forward line yet he played like a fellow that was around for years. His pace was breathtaking and his small frame weaved and dodged around Donegal defenders every time he on was on the ball. Shannon hit the opening two scores for Fermanagh and set up the next four. Joe Egan put them three up before corner forward Barry Shannon hit the net for goal number one. Fermanagh were on fire and with points from Steven Quinn and Steven Owens they led 1-5 to 0-0.

Donegal had five senior players in their ranks yet they looked disjointed and disorganized. Full forward Peter Loughran was isolated in front of goal but his troops were unable to locate him. After 16 minutes, Loughran hit Donegal’s first point, and with Tadhg Donovan coming more into the game they soon found their rhythm. At the interval, Fermanagh led 1-9 to 0-5 with Shannon their star on the edge of the square. Donegal needed a good start to the second half but it never materialized. Colm Shannon was on target again after five minutes of the restart and with Darren Doherty and Marty McGlade picking up all the breaks around, Fermanagh continued to dominate.

Donegal Midfielder Gary Dowd did break through the defense after 10 minutes, but Alan Beaty between the posts parried his shot to the right and wide. Loughran did hit another free for Donegal, but he failed to have any major impact on the game while Anton Diver and Liam Gallahger were guilty of some awful shooting. At the other end, Fermanagh rattled off points every time they attacked. Then with 15 minutes still to play, they pounced for goal number two. Murphy and Owens linked well to put Barry Shannon in on goal and the Fermanagh man finished in style.

Donegal were stunned. They had being hit by a stream train and they hadn’t seen it coming. Diver did pull a late goal back but it mattered little. The ship had sunk and their life jackets had failed to inflate. Steven Quinn hit goal number three for Fermanagh on the stroke of full time to round off a great opening game and an encouraging performance for the Erne men. Donegal were disappointing but with the Molloys and Pat McGill behind them they won’t be found wanting the next day.

Fermanagh: Alan Beaty, Kieran Donnelly, Noel McGovern, Colm Walsh, Damien Boyle, Marty McGlade, Steven Keating, Sean Mellee, Darren Doherty, Steven Quinn 1-2, Steven Owens 0-3, Gerry Murphy 0-1, Barry Shannon 1-2, Colm Shannon 1-2, Joe Egan 0-1.

Donegal: Frank Molloy, Pat McGill, Mark McClafferty, Paddy Burns, Micheal Herlihy, Enda Lohan 0-1, Conor McShane, James Doherty, Gary Dowd, Pat McElory 0-1, Tadhg Donovan 0-1, Anton Diver 1-1, Liam Gallagher 0-2, Pater Loughran 0-4, Mickey McBride 0-1. Subs: Leslie McGettigan 0-1.