Dublin defeated Donegal by 4 points in yesterday’s Allianz Roinn 1 League semi-final in Cavan. Donegal were never led in the first quarter and were a point to the good, 0-5 to 0-4, at the first half water-break. In a five minute spell midway through the second quarter Dublin hit a purple patch scoring 1-3 without reply to take control of the scoreboard and never relinquished their cushion of four points or more until the final whistle. Eoghan McGettigan, a second half substitution scored the Donegal goal.
There will be no final and the league title will be shared between Dublin and Kerry, the latter comprehensively defeating Tyrone earlier on Saturday. Declan Bonner used the game to give vital game time to a number of players against the current All-Ireland champions. Conor O’Donnell came on for the injured Odhran MacNiallais in the second quarter while other players who have not featured significantly in the Allianz league to date like Odhran McFadden Ferry, Tony McClenaghan, Eunan Doherty, Jason McGee and Caolan Ward all had extended game time. A number of frontline players with niggling injuries were rested including Andrew McClean, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Jamie Brennan, Michael Murphy, Paul Brennan and Peadar Mogan.
Donegal’s attention will now be fully focused on their preliminary Round Ulster Championship match in Páirc Esler in Newry in two weeks time. Their opponents Down will have been boosted by a fine performance yesterday when they retained their Division 2 status with a comfortable win against Laois.
Go raibh maith agat Geraldine Diver for the pictures from yesterday’s game.
