Donegal proved to be far too strong for Fermanagh, progressing to the Ulster Football Championship semi-final thanks to a 2-12 to 0-11 win in Ballybofey.
In many ways the game turned on a red card, though strangely it was Donegal’s Neil McGee who got his marching orders for a needless strong arm on Ruairi Corrigan shortly before the half-time break.
With the game finally poised following a strong Fermanagh performance in the final 20 minutes of the first period, referee Maurice Deegan gave the penalty and sent McGee on his way.
At that point Donegal led 1-06 to 0-07 and Sean Quigley had the chance to give the visitors an unlikely half-time lead.
Instead his spot kick was saved by Mark Anthony and Rory Gallagher’s side got into the dressing room with their lead intact.
They managed to regroup at the interval and were ruthless in their dismantling of Fermanagh in the second half.
Who needs 15-men? Certainly not Donegal. They've stepped it up in the second half and now lead Fermanagh 2-08 to 0-08. 20 mins remain
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 12, 2016
Odhrán Mac Niallais scored a goal in each half – both fine team moves – as Donegal set-up a semi-final against Conor McManus and Monaghan.
But it was the crazy actions of McGee which dominated a lot of the discussion on social media and elsewhere.
On RTE, Pat Spillane branded it a “cowardly act” while others wondered how the expected two-game ban will affect Donegal.
https://twitter.com/_ShaneOo/status/741995952555327488
https://twitter.com/tommy2guinness/status/742001146957553664
There'll be fewer fingers broken during Neil McGee's suspension #sundaygame
— Wayne Carroll (@WayneCarroll8) June 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/JamieMcCabe_93/status/741993353596796928
Neil mcgee is an absolute tramp ban him for the whole summer an absolute disgrace first trying to break alan fitzgeralds finger now this
— ciaran o shea (@ciaranoshea2) June 12, 2016
Playing on the edge is one thing, but a mile over it has always been Neil McGee's way. Classless! #GAA #Sundaygame #DONVFER #Ballybofey 💪
— L. NÃHéineacháin (@LaobhaoiseNihE) June 12, 2016
