GAA qualifiers:There will be few crumbs of comfort for the long-suffering Donegal supporters on their way back to the north west this evening after they witnessed their side exit the All-Ireland football qualifiers without mustering much more than a whimper.
Armagh will go into the hat for Monday’s second round draw after a facile 2-14 to 0-11 win while it’s back to the drawing board for John Joe Doherty and his backroom team. Paddy O’Rourke’s side weren’t exactly firing on all cylinders. Then again, they didn’t need to be.
When the draw was made a fortnight ago, this tie promised to be the standout one of the round. Enjoying home advantage at Crossmaglen Armagh would be favourites but Donegal would surely run them close? Eh, no. Donegal were simply woeful, particularly in a first half where they managed just three scores in total and only one of those from play.
The writing was on the wall within 90 seconds as Jamie Clarke grabbed the first of a brace of goals. The full forward turned with ease and finished powerfully. Clarke needed just five minutes more to add a second, taking full advantage of more lackadaisical defending before firing home soccer-style.
With Stephen McDonnell unusually quiet, points from Charlie Bernham, Graham Swift and two from Clarke eased Armagh further clear as they threatened a rout.
Donegal at least made a better fist of things in the second half with Michael Murphy, who would contribute eight scores to his side’s meagre total, plugging away up front. But they were never likely to catch Armagh and Eamonn McGee’s dismissal late on, following an off-the-ball incident, merely added insult to injury.
Earlier in the day, it took extra-time to separate Clare and Offaly with the Leinster side finally prevailing 2-18 to 1-18 in Tullamore. Clare had led by seven points midway through the second half but a late Ken Casey goal hauled Offaly back into the contest before Ciaran McManus levelled maters a minute from time.
Derry will join Armagh and Offaly in the next round after they held on to win 1-18 to 2-9 against Carlow.
Derry did not enjoy the smoothest build-up to this match, with reports in the county claiming Paddy Bradley had walked away from the panel after being dropped during the week.
The furore did not seem to affect his brother Eoin, however, with the forward leading from the front at Dr Cullen Park. Bradley hit a first half goal and knocked over six points as Derry avoided a potential banana skin.