Mannion’s late goal helps senior footballers to win over Donegal

FL DIVISION 1 ROUND 4

DUBLIN 1-15 DONEGAL 1-14

Paul Mannion's late goal saw Dublin secure a one-point victory in this FL Division 1 clash at Croke Park on Saturday night before an attendance of 26,153.

The Kilmacud Crokes forward batted the ball to the net in the 66th minute after keeper Shaun Patton fumbled a point effort from Brian Howard dropping short.

It gave Dublin a three-point lead, 1-14 to 1-11, after they had trailed throughout and Dessie Farrell's side held on in the face of plenty of late Donegal pressure.

Dublin started both halves on the back foot but improved significantly towards the three-quarter mark to record their first Croke Park league victory following draws against both Kerry and Monaghan.

Donegal led 1-6 to 0-7 at half-time with Hugh McFadden blasting past Evan Comerford in the sixth minute to give his side a 1-1 to 0-0 victory before the impressive Seán Bugler fired over to open Dublin's account in the ninth minute.

While beaten on that occasion Comerford was to have a very influential role in Dublin's win by making three excellent one-one-one stops over the course of the game to deny Ryan McHugh, Peadar Mogan and arguably the most important one when denying Paddy McBrearty in the 58th minute.

On the restart to the second period the Ulster side opened with points from Ciarán Thompson and Mogan before Dublin began to click into gear.

Dean Rock converted a free, following a foul on Niall Scully, sub Cormac Costello and Brian Howard added to Dublin's tally to make it 1-8 to 0-10.

Heading into the concluding 15 minutes Donegal were three points to the good, 1-11 to 0-11, before Brian Fenton kicked two excellent scores.

Evan Comerford had denied McBrearty before sub Colm Basquel showed great determination to work the scoring opportunity for a point to bring the sides level.

Then Mannion's goal edged Dublin a goal clear, Michael Murphy closed the gap with a free.

David Byrne broke forward with great pace and slotted over, it was the score that carried Dublin to victory.

SCORERS - Dublin: D Rock 0-4 (3f), P Mannion 1-0, S Bugler, C Kilkenny (0-1m) B Howard, B Fenton 0-2 each, C Costello, C Basquel, D Byrne 0-1 each. Donegal: M Murphy 0-5 (0-2f, 0-1m), H McFadden 1-1, J Brennan, C Thompson (0-1f), P Mogan 0-2 each. M Langan, P McBrearty 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Comerford; D Byrne, J Small, M Fitzsimons; B Howard, C O’Shea, E Murchan; B Fenton, C Dias; S Bugler, D Rock, N Scully; P Mannion, C Kilkenny, K McManamon. Subs: C Costello for Dias (ht), C Basquel for McManamon (54), A Byrne for Bugler (68), P Small for Rock (70+3),

DONEGAL: S Patton; N McGee, C Ward, E Bán Gallagher; P Brennan, R McHugh, O McFadden-Ferry; H McFadden, M Langan; D O Baoill, C Thompson, C McGonagle; P Mogan, M Murphy, J Brennan. Subs: N O’Donnell for P Brennan (47), P McBrearty for McGonagle (53), B McCole for Ward (53), E McHugh for J Brennan (62).

REF: M Deegan (Laois).