After plenty of battles in recent seasons, the latest chapter in Dublin and Donegal’s rivalry promises to be an intriguing affair.
The last installment resulted in a public outcry at Donegal’s defensive tactics, but it would have been naive to expect them to set up any other way.
Donegal might show a little bit more ambition offensively today as they attempt to stop a slide of four straight defeats.
That’s not the kind of form you’d want as running into this Dublin juggernaut as it picks up pace. 20 games unbeaten in league and championship leaves Dublin as warm favourites to win a fourth league title on-the-trot.
Throw-in is at 4pm. The game is live on TG4.
Dublin
1. Stephen Cluxton
2. Philip McMahon
3. Jonny Cooper
4. David Byrne
5. James McCarthy
6. Eric Lowndes
7. John Small
8. Brian Fenton
9. Denis Bastick
10. Paul Flynn
11. Paddy Andrews
12. Ciaran Kilkenny
13. Dean Rock
14. Diarmuid Connolly
15. Bernard Brogan.
Hopefully Dublin-Donegal will be a bit closer than the curtain-raiser.
Two late changes for Dublin. Paul Mannion starts instead of Diarmuid Connolly. Cian O’Sullivan replaces John Small.
One change for Donegal, with Martin O’Reilly replacing Mark McHugh in the half-forward line. They start as follows:
Donegal
1. MA McGinley
2. P McGrath
3. N McGee
4. E McGee
5. R McHugh
6. K Lacey
7. C Gillespie
8. R Kavanagh
9. O Mac Niallais
10. M O’Reilly
11. M McElhinney
12. F McGlynn
13. P McBrearty
14. M Murphy
15. L McLoone
We’re underway in Croker! Can Donegal stop Dublin’s 20 game unbeaten run? We’re about to find out.
Dublin 0-1 Donegal 0-0
2 mins – Dean Rock kicks an early free to put the Dubs in front.
Dublin 0-2 Donegal 0-1
7 mins – Paddy McBrearty pops over a free. Dublin immediately go down the far end and Ciaran Kilkenny restores their one point advantage.
Dublin 0-3 Donegal 0-1
9 mins – Wonderful point by Paddy Andrews from a tight angle. Bernard Brogan showed good pace to set him up.
Dublin 0-4 Donegal 0-1
11 mins – Dublin are moving the ball really quick with their kickpassing. Paul Mannion slips a pass to Dean Rock who scores.
Dublin are defending very deep.
Stephen McBrearty comes in for the injured Martin O’Reilly.
Dublin 0-4 Donegal 0-2
15 mins – Michael Murphy is deadly accurate from placed balls. He strokes over a fantastic free.
Dublin 0-4 Donegal 0-3
16 mins – Eamon McGee drives forward and wins a free. Murphy taps over his second.
Dublin 0-6 Donegal 0-3
18 mins – Nice move by Dublin. Kilkenny finishes it off the left.
Dublin 0-7 Donegal 0-4
23 mins – Ryan McHugh at the centre of a Dublin attack that results in Leo McLoone slotting over the bar. At the far end Dean Rock puts over a free.
Donegal have hit five wides so far. That’s the major difference between the teams, Dublin are far more accurate.
Goal chance for Dublin! Brogan’s shot was blocked by Rory Kavanagh. Moments later Andrews slots over the bar.
Dublin 0-9 Donegal 0-5
30 mins – Kilkenny kicks an excellent point from wide on the left. McBrearty brings Donegal back to within four at the far end after great work from McHugh.
Interesting that James McCarthy is playing in full-back line and picking up Michael Murphy.
Dublin 0-9 Donegal 0-6
32 mins – Murphy is fouled by McCarthy who picks up a yellow. The Donegal skipper slots over the free. Donegal’s transition from defence to attack is excellent.
Dublin 0-11 Donegal 0-6
35 mins – McCarthy drives forward, takes a pass from Kilkenny and spins onto his left before putting it over.
Half-time: Dublin 0-11 Donegal 0-6
Dublin are in control and they’re good value for their five point lead. Donegal won’t be too disappointed given they’ll have the breeze after half-time.
Playing with the wind in the second-half, Donegal will have a lot more opportunities to hit Murphy at full-forward. The key thing is the quality of ball that goes into him. If Donegal can get that right then they’ve every chance to win this.
Donegal’s return from kickouts has been poor.
GOAL! Bernard Brogan finishes to the net for the Dubs! Big moment.
Dublin 1-11 Donegal 0-6
36 mins – Philly McMahon played a precise pass into the path of Brogan who expertly tucks it away.
All of a sudden Donegal are eight points behind. They need to stem the tide.
Dublin 1-11 Donegal 0-7
38 mins – McBrearty kicks a fine point. Kilkenny gave the ball away with a sloppy handpass and Donegal broke away at pace.
Dublin 1-12 Donegal 0-7
40 mins – Flynn burts through the middle and feeds McMahon who slots it over.
Dublin 1-12 Donegal 0-7
45mins – Goal chance for Mannion but McGinley spread himself and saved well. Rock makes no mistake from the resultant 45.
Costello is in for Andrews.
Nothing is coming off for Donegal. Murphy’s attempted pass for McBrearty is overhit and goes over the end line.
Neil McGee clears John Small’s shot off the line. Donegal get away with it again.
Dublin 1-14 Donegal 0-8
48 mins – McBrearty’s free reduces the gap to nine.
Dublin 1-15 Donegal 0-8
50 mins – Nice point from Mannion. Dublin went through at pace and the Kilmacud Crokes forward applied the finish.
Dublin 1-15 Donegal 0-9
53 mins – McBrearty and Murphy hit a free each for Donegal.
Dublin 1-17 Donegal 0-11
56 mins – Costello finishes a good move with a score and then Cooper ventures forward to kick one.
Jonny Cooper he leaves the field. He went down after sustaining a blow to the head from a Colm McFadden tackle. Dublin were taking no risks and withdrew him.
Dublin 1-18 Donegal 0-11
62 mins – Dublin are making this look easy. Lowndes with the latest point for Gavin’s side.
Dublin 1-18 Donegal 0-12
65 mins – McBrearty with another score after Murphy’s interception.
Not long left now but as a contest this game has been over for a while. Very disappointing second-half performance by Donegal.
Ciaran Kilkenny is named man-of-the-match. Well deserved.
Dublin 1-20 Donegal 0-13
70+2 mins – McBrearty kicks another free.
Full-time: Dublin 1-20 Donegal 0-13
Dublin have made it to their fourth league final in-a-row at their ease this afternoon. Thanks for joining us.
