Dublin 1-15

Donegal 1-14

DONEGAL’S frustrating league campaign continued on Saturday evening as they lost out to Dublin by a point in Croke Park.

Just like the draw with Mayo and the defeat to Galway, Declan Bonner’s men saw their impressive work against the Dubs undone by an inability to close the game out from a winning position.

Hugh McFadden’s sixth minute goal gave Donegal an early cushion and they led for the majority of the match.

The visitors missed three goal chances which could have put daylight between the sides, but Dublin were always able to hang on, and eventually they clawed their way back into the match.

The teams were level when Paul Mannion bundled to the net after a Shaun Patton error in the 65^th minute.

Donegal tried to battle back but they weren’t helped by an injury to Jamie Brennan and a red card to man-of-the-match Michael Murphy, and ultimately came up short by the minimum.

Dublin: Evan Comerford; Eoin Murchan, David Byrne (0-1), Michael Fitzsimons; Brian Howard (0-2), John Small, Cillian O’Shea; Brian Fenton (0-2), Craig Dias; Paul Mannion (1-0), Ciaran Kilkenny (0-2, 1m), Niall Scully; Sean Bugler (0-2), Kevin McManamon, Dean Rock (0-4, 3fs). Subs: Cormac Costello (0-1) for Dias (Half-time), Colm Basquel (0-1) for McManamon (54 mins), Aaron Byrne for Bugler (68 mins), Paddy Small for Rock (73 mins).

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Caolan Ward, Neil McGee, Odhran McFadden-Ferry; Paul Brennan, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher; Hugh McFadden (1-1), Michael Langan (0-1); Daire Ó Baoill, Ciaran Thompson (0-2, 1f), Caolan McGonagle; Peadar Mogan (0-2), Michael Murphy (0-5, 2fs, 1 m), Jamie Brennan (0-2). Subs: Niall O’Donnell for P.Brennan (46 mins), Patrick McBrearty (0-1) for McGonagle (53 mins), Brendan McCole for Ward (56 mins), Eoin McHugh for J.Brennan (62 mins).

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois).