FLASHBACK Dublin v Donegal 2009 Allianz League Battle in Ballyshannon

Picture courtesy Sportsfile

By Conor Martin

A big test awaits our Senior Footballers in Donegal this weekend, as they take on Jim McGuinness' side in Round 2 of the Allianz League. 

As is usually the case, trips to Donegal produce attritional affairs, as was the case back in 2009, when Pat Gilroy’s Dublin side picked up their first win of the league season with a determined, gutsy 0-13 to 1-8 win in Ballyshannon. 

In fact, since the 2009 league encounter, Dublin have been unbeaten against the Ulstermen in the league, something we’d like to continue when we visit this weekend. 

Dublin had been beaten in the opening two rounds of the league in 2009, losing out by two points to Tyrone at HQ but were well beaten in Galway the second time out. 

The first-half was dominated by Dublin, who restricted Donegal to just a point to show for their efforts as Gilroy’s men led 0-7 to 0-1 at half-time thanks to opening scores from Bernard Brogan and Kevin Bonner, which were followed up by Raheny club man David Henry getting on the scoresheet too.

Brendan Boyle was the man who got the home side up and running in the 27th minute, but after Donegal had come back out for the second-half, the game became a fine contest. 

Stephen Griffin and Michael Murphy turned up the heat on Dublin with scores, which was followed by a Conall Dunne goal.

Conal Keaney would top up the Dublin tally and lead with important scores before he top-scored with four points. 

Donegal would tie the game up at 1-8 to 0-11 apiece when Ciaran Bonner, David Walsh and Darragh Gallagher went hand in hand with two more scores from Murphy.

But when the push came to shove, Dublin finished strongest thanks to vital scores from Ger Brennan and Ross McConnell, securing Dublin’s first league win of 2009.

The win would be crucial come the end of the league season. It was followed by a defeat to Derry, two draws against Mayo and Kerry, and a big win against Westmeath at Parnell Park, which secured our Division 1 status as we finished in sixth. While Donegal finished in seventh, just a point behind Dublin and were relegated along with Westmeath.

Donegal Scorers: C Dunne (1-0), M Murphy (0-2), S Griffin (0-2), B Boyle (0-1), C Bonner (0-1), D Gallagher (0-1), D Walsh (0-1)

Dublin Scorers: C Keaney (0-4), B Brogan (0-3), R McConnell (0-3), D Henry (0-1), G Brennan (0-1), K Bonner (0-1)

Donegal Starting 15: M Boyle, E McGee, N McGee, P McDaid, E Wade, R Sweeney, K Cassidy, C Bonner, C Toye, B Boyle, C Dunne, R Kavanagh, M Murphy, S Griffin, David Walsh

Dublin Starting 15: S Cluxton; P Andrews, D Bastick, A Hubbard; J Brogan, G Brennan, B Cahill; C Whelan, R McConnell; D Connolly, C Keaney, D Henry; B Kelly, K Bonner, B Brogan

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo)