Donegal open National Hurling League with comprehensive win away to Wicklow 

Donegal hurlers strolled to the easiest of victories over a decimated 14-man Wicklow at a scenic but blustery Echelon Park in Aughrim.
Wicklow 0-13 Donegal 2-23

The winners were superior in all departments and won most of the physical battles in what was a fine 16-point victory. 

Up front marksman Gerry Gilmore was in fine form hitting a total of 1-9 while Liam McKinney was also excellent for the winners who were minus Danny Cullen, Declan Coulter, Bernard Lafferty and Ronan McDermott, all major figures.

But things were even worse for the hosts as they were minus a total of 18 of last year’s panel through withdrawals and emigration. 

Indeed, only five of last year’s team that defeated Donegal in the Nickey Rackard Cup final lined out on Sunday. Their woes were added to when they lost wing back Michael Óg O’Neill to a straight red card in the 18thminute.

And goals from Gilmore in the opening half and a converted penalty from Luke White garnished an impressive display on a tight pitch.   

A depleted Wicklow had the breeze initially but it was Donegal who were quickest off the mark with a pointed free from White in the two minutes in. Gary Hughes levelled matters for Wicklow soon after.

But that was as close as they could get as Gilmore landed a free and the bustling Josh McGee Cronolly put Donegal into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.

Newly appointed Donegal captain Conor Gartland, and Wicklow’s Luke Evans, then swapped points in the 10th minute.

Sean McVeigh, who has rejoined the squad this year, was also on target for a comfortable  Donegal.

Liam McKinney was finding loads of space and arrowed over two fine points before Mickey McCann’s men struck for their first goal when a ‘65 from White was flicked to the net by Gilmore, in between two defenders, to open up a healthy 1-8 to 0-2 lead by the 20th minute.

The home side were then dealt a further blow when wing back O’Neill was dismissed for a wild pull in the direction of Brian MacIntyre.

They could have had another goal two minutes later as McGee Cronolly seemed to set to net from point-blank range but Wicklow keeper Conor McNally pulled off a superb save.

Wicklow finished the half on slightly better terms with Luke Evans on target twice and Torna Mulconry also pointed from close range.

McNally was called into action again when he pulled off another great save from Gilmore but Donegal still led 1-10 to 0-6 at the break.

Donegal turned over with the breeze and upped the scoring rate considerably. Jack O’Loughlin, Gilmore and Conor Gartland leisurely tacked on points.

McKinney then broke through and almost had another goal, but his rasping shot screamed across the goals and wide. Evans was Wicklow’s best player and he swung over some fine points for the Garden County but he lacked consistent support.

Substitute Oisin Marley was pulled down inside the square late on and White drilled the ball confidently to the net to seal a fine victory for Donegal.

Wicklow scorers: Luke Evans 0-7,3f; Brandon Ryan 0-2; Gary Hughes 0-2; Rian Óg hUisce 0-1; Torna Mulconry 0-1.

Donegal scorers: Gerry Gilmore 1-9,9f; Luke White 1-2,1pen; Liam McKinney 0-5; Conor Gartland 0-2; Sean McVeigh 0-1; Jack O’Loughlin 0-2; Cormac Finn 0-1; Josh McGee Cronolly 0-1.  

Wicklow: Conor McNally; Dylan Byrne, Bryan Kearney, Ben Kearney; James McGing, Matthew Traynor, Michael Óg O’Neill; Brandon Ryan, Rian Óg hUisce; Gary Hughes, Luke Evans, Patrick Murphy; David Maloney, Ian Clancy, Torna O’Mulconry, 

Subs: Dan Redmond for Patrick Murphy and Jack O’Toole for Torna Mulconry (both 29), Rory Martin and Shane Browne for Ian Clancy and Gary Hughes (both 61), Ruairi O’Brien for James McGing (68).  

Donegal: Luke White; Gavin Browne, Ciaran Bradley, Ciaran Curran; Ryan Hilferty, Stephen Gillespie, Jack O’Loughlin; Brian MacIntyre, Conor O’Grady; Liam McKinney, Conor Gartland  Sean McVeigh; Steven McBride, Gerard Gilmore, Josh McGee Cronolly. 

Subs: Sean Ward for Josh McGee Cronolly (34) Cormac Finn for Ryan Hilferty (47), Peter Kelly for Brian MacIntyre (52), Oisin Marley for Sean McVeigh (58), Conor Griffin for Stephen Gillespie (64). 

Referee: Padraig Dunne (Laois).