This will have felt good for Rory Gallagher.
The Fermanagh man resigned from the hot-seat of Donegal football in August after his youthful side suffered a string of disappointing results in last year’s championship.
Gallagher was the subject of some harsh criticism, and obviously deemed his job untenable ahead of the 2018 season.
On his return to Ballybofey, Gallagher’s Fermanagh side overpowered his former team to set-up a McKenna Cup semi-final date with Mickey Harte’s reigning champions Tyrone.
A second half Séamus Quigley goal was the difference between the sides as the Erne men recovered from a three point deficit at the half-time interval to win the game by the same margin, on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-10.
RESULT – Donegal 1-10 v Fermanagh 1-13 #BOIMcKennaCup A super result, well done lads!
— Fermanagh GAA (@FermanaghGAA) January 10, 2018
That goal was backed up by seven more points from the boot of the centre forward as the powerful attacker put in a barnstorming man-of-the-match performance.
Indeed, Gallagher’s side have got off to a flier in this campaign, with this impressive victory following up wins over Monaghan and Queen’s University.
This result was as good for Rory Gallagher as it was bad for Declan Bonner.
Odhrán Mac Niallais’ eagerly anticipated return in the green and gold ended early as the Gaoth Dobhair club man received a 12th minute black card.
He wasn’t the only one to see a card in this feisty encounter, with Stephen McMenamin following his teammate into an early bath.
Quigley had the final word.
Brilliant work by Seamus Quigley to win a free, 1-7 tonight, surely the man of the match award aswell!
— Fermanagh GAA (@FermanaghGAA) January 10, 2018
Meanwhile, Tyrone comfortably defeated Cavan with Peter Harte turning in a man-of-the-match display. Monaghan got their first wn of the campaign over Queen’s, while Derry edged Down by the bare minimum in a feisty encounter in a foggy Celtic Park.
- Cavan 0-07 Tyrone 2-22
- Antrim 0-15 St Mary’s 4-08
- Armagh 0-12 UUJ 1-09
- Monaghan 2-13 Queen’s 0-07
- Derry 1-14 Down 2-10
