Donegal win again in Ballyshannon, doing just enough to overcome Louth

Donegal remain on course for promotion to Division 1 with another win at home to Louth in Ballyshannon.

A goal in the 54th minute was the game changer as it put a five point gap between the teams, the most significant one during a very tight game.

The final margin of five points flattered Donegal, who were guilty of many mistakes and turnovers despite very good conditions at a sunny Fr Tierney Park. Indeed, there was a dispute re the score at the venue with most people in the press area having Louth at 15 points while the referee had it at 14, but it was then changed by the match official.

Patrick McBrearty and Sam Mulroy were the top scorers for their respective sides while Caolan McGonagle and Peadar Mogan were the real driving force for the winners.

The result continues a very poor run for Louth at the Ballyshannon venue, having lost all five occasions the sides have met there in the league.

Donegal had the advantage of the breeze in the opening half and were two  points up inside three minutes through a Patrick McBrearty free and Oisin Gallen.

Sam Mulroy got Louth on the board but McBrearty added another free. By the 12 minute mark Donegal were 0-5 to 0-2 ahead with two more McBrearty  points to one from Ciaran Keenan in reply.

Both sides were guilty of turnovers and Sam Mulroy found the range from a free at the third attempt. Shane O’Donnell had Donegal’s sixth but then Louth came strong with points from Mulroy (free) and Ryan Burns and by the 32nd minute they were on terms thanks to further points from Conor Grimes and Ryan Burns.

Donegal lost Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí to a black card but they hit late points from Shane O’Donnell and a fifth McBrearty point left the home side ahead by 0-9 to 0-7 at the break.

Caolan McGonagle and Sam Mulroy traded early second half points and on two occasions the margin was down to one.

Then came the decisive score, a long ball from Dáire Ó Baoill was fielded by Hugh  McFadden who slipped it to Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí to finish.

Mulroy kept tipping away at points but Donegal always found a response with Aaron Doherty, Michael Langan and Oisin Gallen with two meant they were able to keep a comfortable distance ahead.

With a trip to Carlow to play Kildare and a final game at home to Meath, things are looking good for Donegal while it is another tough result for the Wee County, who have put it up to most counties.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí (1-00); Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan (0-01); Shane O’Donnell (0-02), Dáire Ó Baoill, Odhrán Doherty; Patrick McBrearty (0-08,0-07f), Oisin Gallen (0-04),  Jamie Brennan.

Subs: Aaron Doherty (0-01) and Hugh McFadden for O Doherty and J Brennan (both 48); Luke McGlynn for O Baoill (59); Stephen McMenamin for Mac Ceallabhui (70); Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride for McGonagle (70+3)

Louth: Nall McDonnell; Donal McKenny (0-01), Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch; Leonard Grey, Anthony Williams, Conall McKeever; Conor Early (0-01), Tommy Durnin; Paul Mathews, Ciaran Keenan (0-01), Conor Grimes (0-02); Ryan Burns (0-02), Sam Mulroy (0-0

7,0-05f, 1m), Tom Jackson.

Subs: Liam Jackson (0-01) for Mathews (40); Kyle McElroy for Burns (54); Sean Marry and Niall Sharkey for T Jackson and Williams  (both 65); Jay Hughes for C Keenan (70)

Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)