New York GAA Donegal conquer Rockland

By Pierce O’Reilly

Donegal 3-13, Rockland 2-8

Donegal started their season in style at Gaelic Park on Sunday and demolished a poor Rockland side in the main clash of the day. Boasting at least seven of the New York senior panel, the Ulster men ran riot from the whistle and picked off their points and two early goals with the slightest of effort.

Donegal full forward and man of the match Peter Loughran was emphatic. He found the target on every occasion and had the Rockland defense in sixes and sevens from the start. Apart from Loughran, Donegal had stars all over the field and their compete dominance around the middle meant their defense had little pressure to deal with over the hour.

The Ulster men, who lined out without regulars Donal Breslin and Kieran Keavney, possessed a new focus and determination that was lacking in their earlier games last year. New manager Donal Gallagher is eager to put back-to-back titles together and has sent a clear message to all the other contenders.

Donegal led at the interval 2-9 to 0-2 with four of their six forwards getting on the short sheet. Loughran hit 1-5, while wiry corner forward Liam Gallagher and newcomer Rory Sweeney were always on hand to assist their target man on the edge of the square.

Rockland, who won the senior "B" division last season, have suffered in the offseason and a serious ankle injury to Paul Rowley as well as an aging side has left them short a number of regulars. Import Mike Fitzpatrick also failed to have an impact on proceedings and his lackluster performance over the hour meant the Rockland ship was sinking long before the final whistle sounded. Fitzpatrick will have better afternoons in the summer and if Rockland get their summer imports in time they will improve.

Donegal were rampant in front of the goal over the hour and with Armagh native Loughran weaving and darting in a similar fashion to Peter Canavan, the Ulster men were coasting to victory before the sides parted at the interval. Donegal struggled to maintain their dominance at the start of the second half and with Fitzpatrick and Fisher Fitzgerald hitting early points from frees, the upstaters seemed to rally. It didn’t last long, however, and when the ball arrived at the feet of Loughran, the onion bag was bulging once again. Rockland were stunned by goal number three. To their credit, they fought to the end, and with Woods, Fisher, and Fitzpatrick kicking points, they kept their heads above water.

At the other end, the Donegal forwards walked around with other things on their mind. Their ship was long, safely in port and their captain was looking forward to their next voyage. Points from Loughran (3) and Kevin Lilly (2) and a beauty from Gallagher eased the pressure before a Fisher penalty and a Harrington late strike took the bad look off the score board.

Donegal: Eunan Doherty, Leslie McGettigan, Owen Cummins, Mark McClafferty, Gerry Kelly, Martin Meehan, Gary Rocks, Mike Moran, Maurice Leahy, Rory Sweeney (0-1), Niall McCreedy, Kevin Lilly (0-2), Anton Diver (0-1), Peter Loughran (2-8), Liam Gallagher (1-1).

Rockland: Jimmy Dwyer, Tom Riordan, Jimmy O’Flynn, Ray Lannon, Tom Action, Kieran O’Leary, Sean Roche, Paddy Corcoran, John Harrington (1-0), Fisher Fitzgerald (1-3), Mike Fitzpatrick (0-3), Gerry Riordan, Emmet Woods (0-1), Mike Healy, Tommy Fennell (0-1).