Allianz Football League Division One

DONEGAL 0-16 ROSCOMMON 2-9

By Declan Rooney at Dr Hyde Park

Eoin McHugh kicked a late minute winner as Donegal’s powerful second-half edged an exciting tussle at Dr Hyde Park.

A goal from Conor Devaney four minutes from time looked to have earned Roscommon at least a draw, but McHugh landed his third point of the game to seal a priceless victory for the Ulster men.

Playing in the cold at Dr Hyde Park – which debuted its splendid new playing surface for the first time – Roscommon struggled to get their hands on possession in the early stages.

Captain Michael Murphy started at midfield for Donegal and played a pivotal role throughout and it was their No 14 that gave the visitors a second-minute lead from a free.

Ciaran Thompson linked well with Eoin McHugh for Donegal’s second point a minute later, as Rory Gallagher’s side started brightly.

But seven minutes in Roscommon finally impacted the scoreboard when Fintan Cregg fisted over the ball when Kevin Higgins’ effort dropped short, but Paddy McBrearty cancelled that score out with a free from the right.

But Roscommon replied with their most productive spell of the game as they hit 1-3 in eight minutes to take control. Ciarain Murtagh pointed a free before Enda Smith flicked another kick at goal over the bar, and then the Boyle man added his second after a great pass from Higgins.

From the next kick-out Roscommon were sharp and Murtagh intercepted Mark Anthony McGinley’s kick, passed to Enda Smith and eventually Murtagh bundled the ball over the line via the post for a 1-4 to 0-3 lead.

Micheál Carroll halted Roscommon’s dominance with a point at the other end, but two points from Higgins either side of a Murtagh free put Roscommon 1-17 to 0-7 ahead at the interval.

Murtagh stretched Roscommon’s lead with a point from a tight angle three minutes into the second-half, but with sub Frank McGlynn and Murphy dominant around midfield, Donegal kicked back with four points in a row to pull within a point.

Crucially though, they were denied a goal in the 45th minute when Niall McInerney somehow got a touch to Jamie Brennan’s effort from close range, but after Murtagh scored again, Martin O’Reilly and Eoin McHugh points gave Donegal the lead once more.

Murtagh was off target with a free to level the game and after O’Reilly added his second point to stretch Donegal’ advantage.

Devaney’s goal levelled matters only for McHugh to stroke over the winner late on.

Scorers for Donegal: Eoin McHugh 0-3, Ciaran Thompson 0-3, Martin O’Reilly 0-3, Micheal Murphy 0-2 (2fs), Patrick McBreary 0-2 (1f), Micheál Carrol 0-1, Eoghan Bán Gallagher 0-1, Jamie Brennan 0-1.

Scorers for Roscommon: Ciaran Murtagh 1-4 (2f), Conor Devaney 1-0, Kevin Higgins 0-2, Enda Smith 0-2, Fintan Cregg 0-1.

DONEGAL: Mark Anthony McGinley; Caolan Ward, Neil McGee, Paddy McGrath; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Paul Brennan; Jason McGee, Micheál Carroll; Ciaran Thompson, Martin O’Reilly, Eoin McHugh; Paddy McBrearty, Michael Murphy (c), Jamie Brennan.

Subs: Mark McHugh for Paul Brennan (17), Frank McGlynn for Mark McHugh (h-t), Darrach O’Connor for McBrearty (50), Conor Gibbons for Jamie Brennan (64), Gary Patterson for Murtagh (67), Eamonn Doherty for Neil McGee (69).

ROSCOMMON: Colm Lavin; Sean McDermott, Thoms Featherston, Niall McInerney; Ronan Stack, Sean Mullooly, John McManus; Kevin Higgins, Tadhg O’Rourke; Shane Killoran, Ciaran Murtagh (c), Enda Smith; Donie Smith, Fintan Cregg, Conor Devaney.

Subs: Thomas Corcoran for Higgins (48), Niall Kilroy for Cregg (50), Cian Connolly for Donie Smith (58).

REFEREE: Derek O’Mahoney (Tipperary).