Dublin 1-20
Donegal 0-13
DUBLIN’S BID FOR a fourth consecutive Division 1 Allianz football league crown remains firmly on track as they confidently despatched Donegal this afternoon in Croke Park.
When the sides met last month in the round-robin series Dublin had six points to spare against a Donegal team that adopted a strong defensive ethos from the start.
Today Dublin flexed their attacking muscles to rack up 1-20 with Ciaran Kilkenny winning the man-of-the-match award while Dean Rock weighed in with 0-5.
Bernard Brogan struck the only goal of the game in the second-half when he rolled the ball to the net in front of Hill 16 after a superb defence-splitting pass from Philly McMahon.
The contrast in the scoring capabilities of the teams was illustrated by 11 different players chipping in for Dublin while Donegal had only three scorers. Rory Gallagher’s men were far too reliant on the excellent Patrick McBrearty and Michael Murphy, who shot a combined 0-12 out of their 0-13 total.
Dublin began smartly and were 0-4 to 0-1 clear when Dean Rock pointed in the 11th minute. Donegal hung in there to cut the gap to a single point, 0-4 to 0-3, when Eamon McGee was fouled and Murphy raised a white flag in the 16th minute.
But Dublin simply upped the ante, aided by a masterclass in kickouts from Stephen Cluxton. A fine point by Ciaran Kilkenny left them 0-9 to 0-4 in front approaching the interval and while Donegal did cut the margin to three, Dublin surged clear again by 0-11 to 0-6 at the break.
Jim Gavin’s side got a dream start to the second-half when Brogan netted and that was the key score in settling this contest. They built on that goal to go ten points clear, 1-15 to 0-8, through Paul Mannion with 20 minutes left.
The match petered out to its inevitable outcome then with Donegal minds drifting towards championship preparations while Dublin thoughts switched to an upcoming league final battle with Kerry.
Scorers for Dublin: Bernard Brogan 1-2, Dean Rock 0-5 (0-3f, 0-1 ’45), Ciaran Kilkenny 0-3, Paddy Andrews, Paul Mannion 0-2 each, Philip McMahon, Johnny Cooper, John Small, Eric Lowndes, James McCarthy, Cormac Costello 0-1 each.
Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 0-8 (0-5f), Michael Murphy 0-4 (0-4f), Leo McLoone.
Dublin
1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)
4. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
5. James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams)
3. Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna)
2. Philip McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams)
26. Cian O’Sullivan (Kilmacud Crokes)
7. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
8. Brian Fenton (Raheny)
9. Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge Street)
10. Paul Flynn (Fingallians)
13. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams)
12. Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock)
23. Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes)
11. Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s)
15. Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s-Eoghan Ruadh)
Subs:
20. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille) for Andrews (45)
6. Eric Lowndes (St Peregrine’s) for Bastick (49)
22. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala) for McMahon (53)
19. SB Carthy (St Vincent’s) for Flynn (61)
24. Kevin O’Brien (Naomh Mearnóg) for Cooper (62)
18. Shane Carthy (Naomh Mearnóg) for O’Sullivan (67)
Donegal
1. Mark Anthony McGinley (St Michael’s)
4. Eamon McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
3. Neil McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
2. Paddy McGrath (Ardara)
18. Martin O’Reilly (Sean Mac Cumhaill)
5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)
7. Ciaran Gillespie (Gaoth Dobhair)
8. Rory Kavanagh (St Eunan’s)
9. Odhran Mac Niallais (Gaoth Dobhair)
6. Karl Lacey (Four Masters)
15. Leo McLoone (Naomh Conaill)
12. Frank McGlynn (Glenfin)
13. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar)
14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)
11. Martin McElhinney (St Michael’s)
Subs
23. Stephen McBrearty (Kilcar) for O’Reilly (15)
24. Caolan McGonagle (Buncrana) for MacNiallais (50)
22. Colm McFadden (St Michael’s) for McElhinney (53)
19. Christy Toye (St Michael’s) for Kavanagh (67)
21. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs) for McLoone (67)
Jack O’Brien (Naomh Muire) for Gillespie (71).
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)
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