Jamie Brennan netted a goal for Donegal against Meath. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Two
Donegal 1-18 Meath 1-10
By Chris McNulty at Sean MacCumhaill Park
On a night of little consequence to the bigger picture, Jamie Brennan's goal fired Donegal to a relatively routine win over Meath in Ballybofey.
In front of 3,118 by the Finn, Donegal eventually found the rhythm to see off Meath
Jim McGuinness's men overcame a first minute scare in the form of a Cathal Hickey goal to confirm top spot in Division Two.
Donegal finish a point ahead of Ulster rivals Armagh, who they meet in next weekend's final at GAA headquarters.
When Brennan jigged past Meath 'keeper Billy Hogan for a goal in the 50th minute, Donegal were eight points in front - and well on their way to their sixth Division Two win of 2024.
Sean MacCumhaill Park's new 4x3 metre scoreboard screen, installed on Wednesday night by the local club, had an early introduction with its first score – a Meath goal – registered after only 14 seconds.
Hickey took receipt of a ball inside and the Seneschalstown man riffled past Shaun Patton to the Town End net.
Patton came to Donegal's rescue in the 14th minute when James Conlon, a late inclusion on the Royals XV, found himself in behind the hosts' rearguard. Patton saved and Donegal, for whom Shane O'Donnell had only just popped over their first score, had a real let off.
A six-point win over Kildare at Cullen Park in Carlow a week previously confirmed Donegal's return to Division One and set up an Easter Sunday final against Armagh in Croke Park.
Starved of scores until then, Donegal stirred when a pair of scores by Oisin Gallen, playing on his home turf, bookended a mini purple patch that yielded four points inside of two minutes.
With Jamie Brennan and Aaron Doherty also on the mark, Donegal were 0-5 to 1-0 ahead by the 26th minute.
Meath ought to have been closer, with goalkeeper Hogan slipping and slipping up from three placed balls inside the opening half-an-hour.
The inclusion of Hogan in place of Sean Brennan was one of seven changes made by Colm O'Routke for the trip north west.
Donegal widened their lead to four, 0-10 to 1-3, at the interval with Hugh McFadden, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui and Ryan McHugh firing over.
Mac Ceallabhui's arrival to the game in the 20th minute came along with the concerning sight of his injured captain, Patrick McBrearty, limping down the tunnel.
Michael Langan was a late withdrawal for a Donegal still without Jason McGee and Eoghan Ban Gallagher.
When Ryan McHugh shopped a heavy challenge that forced his departure ten minutes into the second half, the injury worries of the home followers – given that an Ulster Championship date with Derry is on the next page of the calendar – had increased considerably, although the departures of McBrearty and McHugh appeared precautionary in their nature.
Any hopes of the visitors staging a comeback were firmly put to bed when Brennan powered away, rounded Hogan and tucked home.
Scorers for Donegal: Oisin Gallen 0-4, Jamie Brennan 1-1, Ciaran Thompson 0-3 (2fs), Shane O'Donnell, Ryan McHugh, Niall O'Donnell 0-2 each, Jeaic MacCeallabhui, Hugh McFadden, Aaron Doherty, Luke McGlynn 0-1 each
Scorers for Meath: Cathal Hickey 1-0, James Conlon, Keith Curtis 0-2 each, Ronan Jones, Ruairi Kinsella, Shane Walsh, Donal Keogan, Aaron Lynch (f), Jack O'Connor 0-1 each
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Stephen McMenamin, Ciaran Moore; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan; Hugh McFadden, Ciaran Thompson; Shane O'Donnell, Aaron Doherty, Jamie Brennan; Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen, Daire O Baoill.
Subs: Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui for McBrearty (20), Niall O'Donnell for O Baoill (HT), Caolan McColgan for McHugh (45), Luke McGlynn for McFadden (54), John Ross Molloy for McMenamin (54).
Meath: Billy Hogan; Harry O'Higgins, Adam O'Neill, Brian O'Halloran; Adam McDonnell, Donal Keogan, Ross Ryan; Ronan Jones, Cian McBride; Diarmuid Moriarty, Ruairi Kinsella, Cathal Hickey; Shane Walsh, James Conlon, Keith Curtis.
Subs: Jack O'Connor for Moriarty (47), Danny Dixon for McBride (51), Aaron Lynch for Walsh (56), Michael Murphy for O'Higgins (58), Ciaran Caulfield for McDonnell (62).
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).