Footballers See Off Donegal

Mon, 21st March 2022

Dublin 2-15

Donegal 2-11

Dublin Senior Footballers produced a solid display to overcome Donegal in Croke Park on a perfect day for football in front of just under 16,000 spectators.

Cormac Costello got the opening point of the game when Shaun Patton deflected his goal bound shot over the bar. The opening quarter was back and forth until Donegal registered the first goal of the game when Paddy McBreartys effort for a point looped under the cross bar and in off the post over the head of Michael Shiel who had started in goal for Dublin.

At that stage Donegal led 1-04 to 0-02 but Dublin responded very well. Brian Howard kicked two fine points from distance with Brian Fenton and Tom Lahiff also pointed. The opening Dublin goal came when Niall Scully finished very nicely to the corner of the net after a swift team attack.

Dublin led 1-08 to 1-05 at half time.

Dublin controlled much of the second half with fine points from play from Costello, Fenton and Dean Rock on the turn after a nice ball from Cian Murphy.

Donegal gave themselves a lifeline when Michael Murphy directed Ryan McHugh long diagonal ball to the net and followed up with some well taken scores from McBreaty but Dublin pushed on again and after a good run from Davy Byrne, Michael Fitzsimons found himself in a goal scoring position but he was fouled before he could get a shot away.

Dean Rock finished the penalty high passed Patton in the Donegal goal.

Dublin travel to Clones next weekend for their final Allianz League game against Monaghan in what is a must win game to remain in Division 1 for next year.

Dublin: Michael Shiel; Cian Murphy, David Byrne, Michael Fitzsimons; Jonny Cooper, Robbie McDaid, James McCarthy; Brian Fenton (0-02), Tom Lahiff (0-01); Brian Howard (0-03), Sean Bugler (0-01), Niall Scully (1-00); Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello (0-03), Dean Rock (1-05, 0-03f, 1-00 pen).

Subs: Eoin Murchan for Cooper 52, Lee Gannon for Scully 64, Brian O'Leary for Costello 67, Alex Wright for Kilkenny 71, Cillian O'Shea for McCarthy 72.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Stephen McMenamin, Caolan Ward, Brendan McCole; Ryan McHugh (0-01), Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Odhran McFadden Ferry; Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee; Peadar Mogan, Michael Murphy (1-01, 0-01f), Aaron Doherty (0-01); Patrick McBrearty (1-06, 0-01f), Conor O'Donnell (0-02), Jamie Brennan.

Subs: Shane O'Donnell for Brennan 50, Ethan O'Donnell for Doherty 56, Jeaic McKelvey for McHugh 60, Paul Brennan for McFadden 62, Neil McGee for McMenamin 69.