Langan delighted to get the league campaign off to a winning start

Michael Langan was pleased as Donegal started the Division 1 campaign with a three point win over Dublin in Croke Park.

Donegal got off to a good start in the capital in wet and windy conditions, and a Shea Malone goal helped them to a 1-9 to 0-6 lead at half-time.

And while they went eight ahead, with Langan hitting a brace of two pointers in the second half, Dublin brought it back to a three point game in the last ten minutes, but Jim McGuinness’ men held on for a 1-20 to 0-20 win.

“We’re delighted to start the league with a win,” Langan said after the game as he picked up the Man of the Match award.

“It’s great to be up here in Croke Park for the first game of the league, and we battled hard there in the second half. Dublin made a good comeback on us, but we were happy to get through with the win.”

After winning the McKenna Cup with a number of players used, McGuinness fielded a strong team in Dublin, with eleven of the starters from last year’s All-Ireland final starting, minus the injured quartet of Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen, Ciarán Thompson and Shaun Patton.

READ NEXT: ‘Priceless’ England trip boosts Finn Harps ahead of First Division kick-off

But it was a first league start for Shea Malone, while Kieran Gallagher, Turlough Carr and Conor McCahill also made first appearances off the bench, with St Michael’s man Langan alluding to their contributions as they prepare for a rematch with the Kingdom in Ballyshannon next Sunday, February 1.

“There are positives, and we’ll look at it during the week and prepare for Kerry. They beat us here in the summer, so we’ll be looking to get one over them.

“It’s been great, and it’s great to see Shea on the scoreboard again. The lads have brought a real energy, freshness and quality, and that’s what we need, so we’re looking forward to the next couple of games now.”