Late penalty seals result as improved Donegal go down to Dublin in Croke Park

Donegal will go into the final round of league games next weekend at home against Armagh still needing at least a point to be sure of safety after they found Dublin a step too far in Croke Park.

Dublin  2-15
Donegal  2-11

It was an improved performance from Donegal but there were also too many turnovers and many of these were punished by Dublin. However, Donegal did stay with the Dubs until a late penalty sealed the result.

Dublin had the opening score with just over a minute on the clock, Cormac Costello getting free and Shaun Patton did very well to tip over. Patrick McBrearty levelled but Dean Rock had Dublin ahead again on five minutes.

Ryan McHugh, after a one-two with Patrick McBrearty, hit a good point before Donegal took the lead with a McBrearty lob which deceived the Dublin 'keeper. It started with a great long ball out of defence from Brendan McCole to Peadar Mogan.
Michael Murphy (free) and McBrearty stretched the lead out to 1-4 to 0-2 on 16 minutes, but that seemed to waken Dublin as they came to life in the second quarter, while Donegal were punished for some sloppy play and being turned over very often.

Shaun Patton was again called into action to deny Sean Bugler, but the ball was spilled and Cormac Costello tapped over. And Donegal were punished again minutes later when Dublin broke at pace and this time Niall Scully found the corner of the net.
Aaron Doherty added a Donegal point but Dublin hit five in-a-row from Dean Rock (free), Brian Howard (2), Brian Fenton and Tom Lahiff. It was like shooting practice for the Dubs at this stage as the led 1-8 to 1-5 at the break.
Donegal had the ball for several minutes early in the second half and eventually Conor O'Donnell got a point. But almost immediately Dean Rock cancelled the score.

The Donegal goal had a scare a minute later when Brian Fenton ghosted in behind but drove his effort into the sidenetting. Donegal's problems of not having support for the runner was shown seconds later when Michael Murphy got in behind but when he looked up there wasn't a Donegal player within 30 yards.

When Donegal gave another ball away Cormac Costello punished. Brian Howard fished an easy point before Donegal struck for a second goal. A high ball from Ryan McHugh was fisted to the net by Michael Murphy to cut the lead to two - 1-11 to 2-6.
Sean Bugler and Patrick McBrearty traded points. Dean Rock had an easy tap over and Brendan McCole denied Dublin a certain goal with a magnificent intercept.

At the other end Patrick McBrearty linked up with Michael Murphy to hit a good score.
Dean Rock (free) and Brian Fenton eased Dublin four clear with five minutes of normal time left.
Any hope of a Donegal comeback were put to bed when Michael Fitzsimons was fouled going through and Dean Rock smacked the penalty into the top of the net in the 70th minute.

Scorers - Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 1-6,1f; Michael Murphy 1-1; Conor O'Donnell 0-2; Ryan McHugh, Aaron Doherty 0-1 each.
Dublin: Dean Rock 1-5,3f,pen; Niall Scully 1-0; Brian Howard 0-3; Cormac Costello 0-3; Brian Fenton 0-2; Tom Lahiff, Sean Bugler 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: Michael Shiel; Michael Fitzsimons, David Byrne, Cian Murphy; James McCarthy, Jonny Cooper, Robert McDaid; Brian Fenton, Tom Lahiff; Brian Howard, Sean Bugler, Niall Scully; Cormac Costello, Ciaran Kilkenny, Dean Rock.
Subs: Eoin Murchan for Cooper 52; Lee Gannon for Scully 64; Brian O'Leary for Costello 67; Alex Wright for Kilkenny 70; Cillian O'Shea for J McCarthy 70+2.

DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Caolan Ward, Brendan McCole, Odhrán McFadden Ferry; Peadar Mogan, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Stephen McMenamin; Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee; Ryaan McHugh, Conor O'Donnell, Aaron Doherty; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Jamie Brennan.
Subs: Shane O'Donnell for Brennan 49; Ethan O'Donnell for A Doherty 55; Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí for R McHugh 59; Paul Brennan for H McFadden 61; Neil McGee for McMenamin 69

REFEREE: Cormac Reilly (Meath)