ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1: Dublin 1-10 Donegal 0-7

By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park

Dublin claimed a sixth Allianz Football League Division One win on the spin when defeating Donegal at Croke Park.

Philly McMahon’s 66th minute goal sealed victory for Dublin, who were inspired throughout by the excellent Kevin McManamon.

The All Ireland champions shaded a tight opening period departing at the break armed with a slender 0-5 to 0-4 advantage.

Jim Gavin’s team converted five from 12 shots in the first half, Donegal nailed four out of eight ensuring the issue was delicately poised at the interval.

Michael Murphy kicked the first point of the match in the 11th minute, but Dublin responded with three points in a row.

The lively McManamon drilled over a fine effort either side of two Cormac Costello frees as Dublin led 0-3 to 0-1 by the 20th minute.

Eamon McGee and Rory Kavanagh nailed scores to put Donegal back on level terms before McManamon added his second point.

Paddy McBrearty restored parity again, but with the interval looming Ciaran Kilkenny split the uprights as Dublin went in ahead at the turnaround.

After the restart McBrearty (free) and Odhran MacNiallais kicked points for a determined Donegal outfit, but Dublin substitute Dean Rock levelled matters.

Paddy Andrews edged Dublin in front with a splendid effort before Dublin’s James McCarthy and Donegal’s Murphy were both sent off in the 51st minute.

Further scores from Brian Fenton and Costello nudged Dublin 0-9 to 0-6 clear, but a brilliant McBrearty point narrowed the gap once more.

McManamon lofted a point and then turned provider for McMahon’s decisive 66th minute major as Dublin prevailed.

**Scorers for Dublin: **K McManamon 0-3, C Costello 0-3 (2fs), P McMahon 1-0, C Kilkenny 0-1, P Andrews 0-1, D Rock 0-1, B Fenton 0-1.

**Scorers for Donegal: **P McBrearty 0-3 (1f), R Kavanagh 0-1, O MacNiallais 0-1, E McGee 0-1, M Murphy 0-1.

Dublin: M Savage; P McMahon, J Cooper, D Byrne; J McCarthy, E Lowndes, J Small; B Fenton, D Bastick; P Flynn, K McManamon, C Kilkenny; C Costello, B Brogan, P Andrews.

**Subs: **D Rock for Brogan (41 mins), E O’Conghaile for Bastick (45 mins), SB Carthy for Lowndes (53 mins), M Fitzsimons for Small (53 mins), T Brady for Costello (59 mins), D Daly for McManamon (69 mins).

Donegal: M McGinley; P McGrath, C Gillespie, E McGee; A Thompson, R McHugh, K Lacey; M Murphy, O MacNiallais; R Kavanagh, H McFadden, E McHugh; P McBrearty, L McLoone, M O’Reilly.

Subs: M McHugh for McGrath (41 mins), M McElhinney for McLoone (45 mins), E Gallagher for Thompson (59 mins), C Toye for H McFadden (59 mins), C McFadden for Lacey (65 mins), M Carroll for Kavanagh (70 mins).

**Referee: **C Lane (Cork).