Football

Allianz Football League Division Two

Donegal 1-17 Louth 0-15

By Alan Foley at Ballyshannon

Donegal’s unbeaten Division Two run continued with a five-point victory over Louth in Ballyshannon.

The margin of victory was harsh enough on the side managed by Ger Brennan, who were right in the mix until the last quarter when Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí slapped home an untidy, but effective goal for Donegal.

Louth failed to deal with a dropping ball in from Daire Ó Baoill and Hugh McFadden laid off for Mac Ceallabhuí to put Donegal 1-12 to 0-10 and finally put some daylight in it.

Donegal had captain Patrick McBrearty on form with eight points, as Louth’s challenge was typically boosted by Sam Mulroy, who put over seven for the visitors.

On a newly laid pitch on their first competitive appearance to Ireland’s oldest town since right before the pandemic, the hosts were sluggish enough in the first half in the springtime sun.

Whatever wind there was with them, blowing into the direction of Belleek and in captain McBrearty, Donegal had their player on form.

The 2012 All-Ireland winner kicked five first-half points, including one brilliant effort from the sideline just beside the shadow of the old Aodh Ruadh stand. Oisin Gallen popped in and out with two first-half points.

Louth, though, were never too far away and by the break were just two behind, 0-9 to 0-7, with reason for optimism, although perhaps lamenting a couple that got away with captain Mulroy kicking one right, then left, of the posts midway through the first half.

By and large, Donegal were the ones edging in front, although Louth, with Mulroy leading the charge, was assisted by Ciaran Keenan, Ryan Burns and Conor Grimes. Tom Jackson brought the sides level at 0-7 to 0-7, at a time when Donegal were down to 14 with Mac Ceallabhuí sin-binned.

Late scores from Shane O’Donnell, with his second, and McBrearty’s fifth meant Donegal had an advantage at half-time, although Louth were very much in the thick of things.

Louth, with two one-point defeats and one two-point one coming into the contest, have felt the pain of narrow margins and the pattern of the second half was similar to the first. Donegal were not at their best and Louth could sense it.

The Leinster side were never too far off and when corner-back Donal McKenny managed a rare score those who made the journey might’ve thought a shock was on the cards. McBrearty managed to keep the scoreboard ticking for Donegal, with Grimes, Conor Early and Jackson on the mark for Louth.

However, after the goal, Aaron Doherty, McBrearty and Gallen were all scorers to give Donegal a more comfortable look.

Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 0-8 (7fs), Oisín Gallen 0-4, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí 1-0, Shane O'Donnell 0-2, Michael Langan, Caolan McGonagle, and Aaron Doherty 0-1 each.

Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 0-8 (7fs), Conor Grimes and Ryan Burns 0-2 each, Donal McKenny, Liam Jackson, and Ciaran Keenan 0-1 each.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí; Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan; Shane O’Donnell, Dáire Ó Baoill, Odhrán Doherty; Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen, Jamie Brennan.

Subs: Aaron Doherty 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, Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch; Leonard Grey, Anthony Williams, Conall McKeever; Conor Early, Tommy Durnin; Paul Mathews, Ciaran Keenan, Conor Grimes; Ryan Burns, Sam Mulroy, Tom Jackson.

Subs: Liam Jackson 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).