Donegal are Masters champions after sudden death win over Dublin

After a titanic struggle that took 16 minutes of sudden death to decide, Donegal somehow managed to get over the line to take home the Mick Loftus Cup.

Conditions were difficult at the start after heavy rain in Lacken in Cavan but both sides made light of the conditions to put on a fantastic game of football.

Dublin will wonder how they left it behind as they had a number of gilt edged chances in sudden death but managed to butcher a few.

Donegal, to their credit, kept in the contest and their hero was Paddy McNulty, who hit the winner, after also scoring the vital goal which took the game to extra time.

But there were heroes all over the field for Eddie Crawford's side. Shaun Maguire was brilliant at winning ball sent forward; Paddy McNulty’s switch to the edge of the square was vital; a point blank save from Karl O’Brien to deny Bernard Brogan on a one-on-one in the second half was a big moment. There were so many of them as every Donegal player left everything on the pitch.

Ciaran Scanlon made one magnificent block in extra-time; Aaron Thompson was first sub used after five minutes and he had a big influence, also getting the equalising score in the second period of extra-time.

Dublin, with the elements, got off to a blistering start with Bernard Brogan pointing after 23 seconds.

Donegal settled a little but once Dublin got the ball up front they looked strong. Eoghan O'Gara added a second point on nine minutes and then Brogan added two quick frees.

Ross McConnell and Bernard Brogan, this time with his left, opened the gap to 0-6 to no score.

Donegal eventually got on the board, after a couple of wides, when Paddy McNulty fired over after a very good move. It was a half goal chance but the Donegal management were happy to see a flag raised.

Donal Ryan had a seventh point for Dublin but Donegal began to get into it in the final 10 minutes of the half. Damien Browne converted two frees, the second won by Conor McShane, to leave just four between the sides at the break.

Half-time: Dublin 0-7, Donegal 0-3.

Bernard Brogan added to the Dublin lead with a free but three points from Gerard McBrearty, Paddy McNulty and a Benny Boyle free cut the lead to two on 38 minutes.

Ciaran Mac Fheapghusa and Ger Vickey pushed Donegal three clear and when they fired home the opening goal from Darragh Pelly on 45 minutes it looked curtains for Donegal.

But again they responded. Damien Browne pointed a free but that was cancelled by Brogan but a high ball into the Dublin square saw Paddy McNulty break it for Brian McLaughlin to rifle to the net.

Damien Browne cut the lead to three points with three minutes of normal time left and then with the last play, Shaun Maguire lofted another high ball and this time McNulty got a touch to it and it ended in the net to level the scores and take it to extra-time.

Damien Browne edged Donegal ahead for the first time in the contest a minute into the first period but two Bernard Brogan points had Dublin back in front after the end of the first period.

Donegal lost their talisman Conor McShane to injury but they kept coming and Aaron Thompson fisted the equaliser to take the game to sudden death.

It became difficult for both sides and they couldn't get the score with Dublin, playing with the wind, missing four opportunites.

And then Donegal got forward and Paddy McNulty turned to fire over the winning score.

Donegal scorers: Paddy McNulty 1-3; Damien Browne 0-5,5f; Brian McLaughlin 1-0; Gerard McBrearty, Benny Boyle (f), Aaron Thompson 0-1 each.

Dublin scorers: Bernard Brogan 0-8, 4f; Darragh Pelly 1-0; Ross McConnell, Ger Vickery, Donal Ryan, Ciaran Mac Fheapghusa, Eoghan O'Gara 0-1.

Donegal: Karl O'Brien; Conor McShane, Eamon Ward, Enda Bonner; Martin Donaghey, Gerard Melaugh, Gary Dunnion; Paddy McNulty, Brian Doherty; Gerard McBrearty, Ciaran Scanlon, Damien Browne; Donnacha Gallagher, Shaun Maguire, Brendan Boyle.

Subs: Stephen Coyle, Aaron Thompson, Eugene Maguire, Nicky McGarrigle, Brian McLaughlin, Shane Bradley, Eunan Keaveney, David McShane, Laurence McMullan, Kieran Doherty, Gavin Doherty, Hugh Foy

Dublin: Jimmy Keogh; Barry Caulfield, Stephen Dunne, Barry Fitzgerald; Darragh Pelly, Jason Joyce, Alan Daly; Ross McConnell, Conor Brady; David Mooney, Ger Vickery, Kenny McDonagh; Donal Ryan, Eoghan O'Gara, Bernard Brogan.

Subs: Barry Caulfield, Paul Brogan, Kevin McManamon, Brendan McManamon, Ciaran McGuinness, Ciaran Mac Fheapghusa.

Referee: Ray McBrien (Leitrim/Longford)

FOOTNOTE: There was a lovely moment after the presentation when Aiden Duddy, who picked up a nasty injury playing with Naomh Ultan last week and who was in hospital, was presented with a signed match ball by the Donegal players.