Donegal are in control at MacCumhaill Park showing plenty of determination in the opening half of this Ulster Championship quarter final.
The game is being played in very slippy conditions with both sides finding it difficult to control the ball.
However it’s Donegal who are having the better of the exchanges with the Donegal half-back line proving particularly effective.
Donegal could be further ahead but for a habit of overplaying the ball in attack in the last third of the pitch.
Mark McHugh, Colm McFadden and Paddy McBrearty have been working hard up front as has Karl Lacey who is doing a terrific job on Derry’s dangerman Paddy Bradley.
Despite being in control, Donegal were still only 0-4 to 0-2 after 25 minutes played with Derry’s defence working very hard.
Leo McLoone scored a fine point to make it 0-5 to 0-2 after 26 minutes.
Three minutes later Paddy Bradley pulled a point back after Frank McGlynn fouled Lynn.
Donegal made a vital break on the half hour mark when Colm McFadden broke through on the left wing and cut in.
He was eventually dispossessed but the ball fell to Leo McLoone who hit the back of the net from close range to make it 1-5 to 0-3.
Paddy Bradley pulled another point back after a foul with a fine long range kick.
Donegal continued to work hard up until the break and Michael Murphy put his name on the scoresheet with a free just before the break.
Donegal should be further ahead but they look solid as the teams go in with Donegal leading 1-6 to 0-4.
