Donegal 2-5
Dublin 1-8
Alan Foley reports from Ballybofey
A MICHAEL MURPHY free in injury-time salvaged a draw for Donegal against Dublin in an eventful Allianz League Division 1 fixture in Ballybofey.
On an afternoon where it was stated that one of the counties’ proud records would fall, the parity at the conclusion means both can still stand.
Donegal haven’t been beaten in league or championship in Ballybofey since 2010 – a run of 16 outings - and Jim Gavin’s All-Ireland champions are now without a loss in 32 matches.
Two Donegal goals at the end of the first half within a minute turned the contest on its head, with Jason McGee and Ryan McHugh the scorers.
However, in an awkward wind Dublin came back and when Niall Scully goaled with 16 minutes to go following a flowing move to put Dublin in front by a point and that lead was doubled soon after by David Byrne.
However, Ciaran Thompson and Murphy, both from frees, earned a point for Rory Gallagher’s team.
In the first half, Donegal went some 25 minutes without a score as Dublin went 0-5 to 0-1 in front.
After McGee’s opening score, Shane Carthy and Eoghan O’Gara put Dublin in front before scores from Ciaran Kilkenny, Conor McHugh and Scully.
But two goals late in the half meant Donegal went in at the break 2-2 to 0-5 in front.
McGee, the 19-year-old midfielder, tucked home from close range on 33 minutes having been involved in the build-up originally with Frank McGlynn.
McGee’s shot was initially saved by Stephen Cluxton before the ball broke eventually to Jamie Brennan. His scuffed shot was steered home by McGee.
Then, after Donegal won possession from Cluxton’s kick-out, Brennan fed McHugh, who broke through to score his side’s second.
The wind made for an awkward second half but it was Dublin who pushed the case and Scully finished well for a goal from a pass by Kevin McManamon when in on Mark Anthony McGinley.
However, Donegal came back to get on terms to earn a draw – the same result the sides shared in 2013 when Jim McGuinness’s All-Ireland champions were relegated from the top flight.
Scorers for Donegal: J McGee 1-1, R McHugh 1-0, C Thompson, M Murphy 0-2f each
Scorers for Dublin: N Scully 1-1, D Rock 0-3 (3f), S Carthy, C Reddin, C Kilkenny, D Byrne 0-1 each
Donegal
Mark Anthony McGinley
Paddy McGrath
Neil McGee
Eoghan Ban Gallagher
Ryan McHugh
Caolan Ward
Paul Brennan
Jason McGee
Michael Murphy
Frank McGlynn
Micheál Carroll
Martin O’Reilly
Eoin McHugh
Jamie Brennan
Ciaran Thompson
Subs
Hugh McFadden for J.Brennan (40)
Darach O’Connor for P.Brennan (45)
Eamonn Doherty for Carroll (57)
Stephen McBrearty for E.McHugh (63).
Dublin
Stephen Cluxton
Philip McMahon
Michael Fitzsimons
Eric Lowndes
Darren Daly
John Small
Jack McCaffrey
Brian Fenton
Ciaran Reddin
Niall Scully
Ciaran Kilkenny
Shane Carthy
Dean Rock
Eoghan O’Gara
Conor McHugh
Subs
Paul Flynn for Carthy (42)
Michael Darragh Macauley for Reddin (42)
Kevin McManamon for O’Gara (44)
David Byrne for McCaffrey (57)
Jason Whelan for McHugh (62)
Emmet Ó Conghaile for Daly (69)
Referee: Ciaran Branagan (Down)
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murphy is a decent player when he breaks out of his fullback line every so often in fairness.
Needs a haircut though.
Ah will ye tell the truth ffs Paul, he’s shitel.
decent player if he played eith a team that try to atrack and supply him he would do damage but unfortunately he spends all his time going back into his own back line.
Would love a player like Murphy in our forward line!
Don’t be lying Paul. Tell the truth.
Sure Longford beat them! Can’t pick and choose what competition count!
That injury time free was never a free. Not a great ref .Going by today’s performance.
A poor game from both sides. Yellow card for mc Hugh was terrible the replay on Tg4 showed the donegal player pushing his face repeatedly into the ground. When a team doesn’t even try to score a winning point when in possession in the last minutes of the game it sums up their mentality.
Come the summer half of that team won’t be starting , still undefeated. Soft free at the end
Except for ucd a few weeks ago. And Longford last year.
@hugh stop being a dick the record was only ever mentioned as league and championship matches your being ridiculous good chap.
The record is always mentioned as a winning streak with no caveat attached that it doesn’t count the byrne cup. Saying we’ve won 32 games in a row except these two so we won’t count those competitions is ridiculous.
The metropolitans couldn’t be bother to comment on his own teams result but found time to comment on Mayo last night bless!
You tend to be fairly active on Dublin articles yourself Spoddgy.
Come on now, lets not let the gaa articles degenerate into the liverpool/united ones.
I don’t comment on articles to spew anti Dublin rubbish respect where respect is due!
Mayo for ham
Poor game in terrible conditions! Never a free! Dublin had enough chances to close out game before the free! Still only February! I’m sure Jim Gavin won’t be getting to excited about this result!
Donegal must be spending all there money on diving coaches
Oh he woke up!
A poor game from both sides. Yellow card for mc Hugh was terrible the replay on Tg4 showed the donegal player pushing his face repeatedly into the ground. When a team doesn’t even try to score a winning point when in possession in the past minutes of the game it sums up their mentality.