Donegal old guard come strong against wasteful Armagh

After all the controversy about suspensions being overturned it was Donegal who came out on top in the big clash against Armagh in MacCumhaill Park.

The home side took control just before the break and a Paddy McBrearty goal in the 46th minute more or less settled the tie.

Shane O'Donnell was making his championship debut for Donegal while Armagh joint captain Aidan Nugent did not start with Conor Turbitt replacing him.

In an intriguing first half there was little between the sides. Eoghan Bán Gallagher set the tone with a blazing run and fisted point on 57 seconds.

The opening quarter saw eight points shared. Michael Murphy (two frees) and Jason McGee had the other Donegal scores while Jarly Og Burns got through to fist the opener for Armagh who added points through Tiernan Kelly, Rory Grugan (free) and Conor Turbitt.

Grugan put Armagh ahead on 19 minutes but in the second quarter Donegal, despite hitting five wides and dropping two short, got on the front foot.

Michael Langan levelled before Murphy, with one from play and one free, opened a two point gap.

Rory Grugan availed of a soft free to reduce the margin but in the final five minutes points from Patrick McBrearty (free) and Ciaran Thompson had Donegal ahead by three at the break, 0-09 to 0-06.

There was a hectic start to the second half with Rian O'Neill winning the ball a yard from the Donegal goal but he was bundled up and then an O'Neill free from 50m came back off the upright and Shaun Patton made a point blank stop from Aidan Nugent, who was introduced at half-time.

It took nine minutes for the first score with Shane O'Donnell going through the middle to point. O'Donnell was involved again two minutes later for a Donegal goal.

He found Patrick McBrearty who played a