Allianz National Football League Division One: Donegal 0-20 Dublin 0-16
EVEN without Michael Murphy, Donegal got their Division One campaign up and running with an opening victory over Dublin at Pairc MacCumhaill on Saturday night.
Following the postponement of their clash with Kerry, rescheduled for Killarney next Saturday, the Tir Chonaill had to wait for a chance to stretch their legs, while the Dubs had opened up with a win over Mayo.
And, with a stiff Ballybofey breeze at their backs, Donegal hared out of the traps, two superb Daire O Baoill scores - from virtually the same spot outside the 40 metre - proving the catalyst for Jim McGuinness’s men to take a 0-11 to 0-6 lead into the break.
Considering the Tir Chonaill kicked nine wides, two of which were from outside the arc, it could have been worse for the Dubs.
But Dessie Farrell’s side responded well at the start of the second half, Niall Scully, Colm Basquel and Greg McEneaney landing the first three scores before a Ciaran Kilkenny two-pointer closed the gap to one.
That, though, was as good as it got for Dublin as Donegal kicked for home as the half wore on, Oisin Gallen’s influence – and the introduction of Patrick McBrearty from the bench - helping the Tir Chonaill across the line.
Donegal: S Patton; F Roarty, B McCole, P Mogan 0-1; R McHugh, E Ban Gallagher, C Moore; C McGonagle, M Langan 0-2; D O Baoill 0-6 (2tp, 0-2), H McFadden, S O’Donnell 0-2; C Thompson 0-1 (free), C O’Donnell 0-1, O Gallen 0-4 (1f).
Subs: J Brennan for McFadden (51), P McBrearty 0-3 (2f) for C O’Donnell (51), E McHugh for R McHugh (61), O Doherty for S O’Donnell (61), M Curran for Gallagher (63)
Yellow card: O Doherty (68)
Dublin: G Sheridan; D Byrne, T Clancy, S MacMahon; B Howard, C Murphy, G McEneaney 0-2; J Madden, K McGinnis 0-2; K Lahiff, S Bugler 0-2, C Kilkenny 0-3 (1tp); C Basquel 0-3, E O’Donnell, B O’Leary.
Subs: T Lahiff for K Lahiff (26), C Tyrell for Byrne (29), N Scully 0-1 for Madden (29), L Breathnach 0-2 for Basquel (44), S Lowry 0-1 for O’Donnell (63)
Yellow card: E O’Donnell (33)
Referee: P Neilan (Roscommon)
