BLUEP New format clicks into gear but Dubs are dominant as ever..even if there is room for improvement
DONEGAL 0-16 DUBLIN 2-15
But the Tir Chonaill men went toe-to-toe with Jim Gavin’s side from the throw-in.
After a closely-fought opening 25 minutes, the contest broke open when Donegal missed a goal chance – and seconds later Dublin took their one.
When Ciaran Thompson launched a high ball towards the Dubs’ square, Cian O’sullivan went up to challenge Michael Langan and the ball broke kindly to Jamie Brennan.
He had Stephen Cluxton to beat but just as Brennan went to pull the trigger, Mick Fitzsimons did enough to put him off and he blazed wide.
Moments later Scully showed him how it’s done as Dublin went the length of the field from Cluxton’s kick-out in ruthless fashion.
Along with Brian Howard, the 24-year-old had looked Dublin’s most live threat.
And, latching on to a Ciaran Kilkenny pass, he took off – weaving left, then right past the flailing challenge of Hugh Mcfadden.
His low shot nutmegged Shaun Patton in the Donegal goal and Dublin has struck.
Suddenly the Blues had breathing space when before they had been fairly well suffocated by the Donegal game plan – and Declan Bonner’s men were playing catch-up from there on.
Gavin had handed a first Championship start to Eoin Murchan and was sent out with as difficult a mission as they come – to keep Ryan Mchugh shackled.
With Mcbrearty absent, Mchugh was the man Donegal counted on to hurt the Dubs’ defence and he