Dáire Ó Baoill highlights importance of early points after league win over Dublin

Donegal player Dáire Ó Baoill acknowledged how important sealing two league points early in the league is for his side’s confidence as they mark their first win in the 2025 National Football League following Saturday’s win over Dublin. 

The Ulster champions claimed a hard-fought 0-20 to 0-16 victory over Dublin at MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey that left the large home crowd of 12,560 cheering, but not without some anxious moments along the way.  

While Donegal dominated much of the first half, the second half saw Dublin fight back strongly, making it a nervy contest until the closing stages. 

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After the disappointment of missing out on last weekend’s clash against Kerry, Donegal were eager to make up for lost time and set the tone for their season.  

And it was Ó Baoill, more than anyone else on the night, who gave the county the boost they needed to kick off their 2025 season, with the Gaoth Dobhair native putting in a standout Player of the Match performance, against a dangerous Dublin side. 

“We weren’t happy that we lost out on playing last weekend against Kerry," Ó Baoill said. "We put our heads down and we had a few really tough sessions to make sure we were ready for Dublin.  

“We knew they were going to be very strong after their win against Mayo, so we were prepared for a tough battle." 

Ó Baoill's individual performance was crucial in Donegal’s victory, as he accounted for over half of their points tally, including two two-pointers and four regular scores.  

His composure in the second half, when Donegal needed to steady the ship, was key as the team maintained their lead despite Dublin’s resurgence. 

"We had a really big second half," Ó Baoill continued. "You always want to get the space for the two-point scores. There was a nice wind there too to go with us, and that would’ve helped a lot.  

“We had a couple of great points in the second half, and the lads did very well because you don’t always get the opportunity to get those shots away." 

The win was especially important in a competitive Division 1, where Ó Baoill highlighted the difficulty of picking up points this season.  

With every team fighting hard for every point, Donegal knows they cannot afford to let opportunities slip away. 

"The two points were massive to get tonight because usually in this division, you’re always looking at where you can find a few points when you’re playing against the weaker counties," he explained.  

"But this year, if you run through all the teams in the league, it’s not like that. Every team is going to be fighting all the time for the two points. You really want to get them as early as you can because you don’t want to be struggling towards the end, fighting for points." 

As the season progresses, Ó Baoill and his teammates will be eager to build on their strong start, knowing that the competition in Division 1 will be fierce. But for now, the victory over Dublin is a boost to get Jim McGuinness’s side off on the right foot, as Donegal now focus on maintaining their momentum as they look ahead to their next challenge against Kerry.