All-Ireland SFC Group Four

Donegal 0-14 Clare 0-9

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park

Donegal’s first competitive victory in almost four months was worth waiting for after a powerful second half salvo got them off to the perfect start in the All-Ireland series in Cusack Park Ennis.

Only their second win of 2023, the Ulster side brushed off any confidence issues when outscoring Clare by 0-11 to 0-3 for the new half.

The home side appeared in control when carving out a 0-5 to 0-1 advantage after 20 minutes while also seeing a Keelan Sexton shot superbly kept out at point blank range by goalkeeper Shaun Patton.

Donegal had a goal chance of their own just before half-time when the excellent Eoghan Bán Gallagher weaved his way through Clare’s last line and picked out the overlapping John Ross Molloy. However the corner-back took his eye off the ball and fumbled possession when about to pull the trigger, allowing the home defence to get back and snuff out the danger.

Gallagher and chief threats Ciaran Thompson and Oisin Gallen did limit the half-time deficit to three but were a far more focused and aggressive collective on the restart.

A brace from Thompson finally gained parity by the 48th minute at 0-7 to 0-7, a scoreline that would remain until the hour mark when Hugh McFadden inched the visitors in front for the very first time.

Substitute Darragh Bohannon would equalise a minute later but with the bit between their teeth, Donegal would only blossom for the remainder as their momentum ensured six of the last seven points to run out facile winners.

A flagging Clare, off the back of a deflating Munster Final, now have to try and resurrect their All-Ireland campaign in a trip to Clones to take on Monaghan in a fortnight’s time while a buoyant Donegal will welcome Ulster champions Derry to Ballybofey in what will be a timely barometer of their progress under new manager Aidan O’Rourke.

Scorers for Donegal: Ciaran Thompson, Oisin Gallen 0-4 each, Caolan McGonagle 0-2, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Hugh McFadden, Luke McGlynn, Rory O’Donnell 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Pearse Lillis, Eoin Cleary (2fs), Emmet McMahon (1f) 0-2 each, Keelan Sexton, Darragh Bohannon, Aaron Griffin 0-1 each.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, John Ross Molloy; Odhran Doherty, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Caolan Ward; Caolan McGonagle, Rory O’Donnell; Daire Ó Baoill, Jamie Brennan, Ciaran Thompson; Conor O’Donnell, Hugh McFadden, Oisin Gallen

Subs: Jason McGee for Molloy (HT), Caolan McColgan for Ward (49), Luke McGlynn for C. O’Donnell (54), Marty O’Reilly for Doherty (70+3).

Clare: Stephen Ryan; Cillian Rouine, Cillian Brennan, Ronan Lanigan; Ciaran Russell, Jamie Malone, Cian O’Dea; Cathal O’Connor, Darren O’Neill; Daniel Walsh, Emmet McMahon, Podge Collins; Eoin Cleary, Keelan Sexton, Pearse Lillis.

Subs: Darragh Bohannon for Collins (21, inj), Aaron Griffin for O’Connor (47), Brian McNamara for O’Neill (52), Ikem Ugwueru for Walsh (67), Mark McInerney for O’Dea (68), Manus Doherty for Lanegan (70+3, Blood Sub).

Referee: James Molloy (Galway).