Donegal begin with a win as Armagh and Fermanagh play out draws

Life in Division Two has began for Donegal, Armagh and Fermanagh with the latter two playing out draws in their respective games while the Tir Chonaill claimed a win in Clare.

Armagh will have been kicking themselves all the way home from Newbridge after squandering a five point lead with 20 minutes to play.

Stefan Campbell’s 49th minute goal followed by a quickfire Niall Grimley point edged the Ulster men into a 1-10 to 0-8 lead.

Kildare rallied in the closing stages and inspired by on-form forward Jimmy Hyland, who landed a free with the last kick of the game to ensure a share of the spoils.

Fermanagh began their tier two campaign in similar fashion recovering from a poor first half to earn a draw.

The Ernesiders only registered one first half point and trailed 0-4 to 0-1 before drawing level for the majority of the second period as Ruairi Deane was dismissed on two yellow cards just before Matthew Taylor registered a major.

If new rules were not a taking point before the first round games, they certainly will after this game as the advanced mark came to the fore as Conall Jones claimed the mark before slotting over the equalising score.

Donegal on the other hand claimed the only Ulster win in Division Two, claiming a three point win in Ennis.

Despite playing against a stiff breeze, Declan Bonner’s men led by two at the interval on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-8.

The Munster side cut the deficit to one with six to play but late scores from Hugh McFadden and Jason McGee sealed victory for the Ulster Champions.

Allianz Football League Division Two

Clare 0-13 Donegal 0-16

Kildare 0-14 Armagh 1-11

Fermanagh 0-8 Cork 1-5