LIVE FROM CROKE PARK.
Donegal lead Cork by a single point at half-time – 0-08 to 0-07.
It’s been a sea of green and gold at Croker – and the noise to match.
The Donegal men have more than held their own against Cork and could have been further ahead, missing some chances to extend the lead.
It has been a nerve-jangling first 35 minutes and despite what the pundits have said, Donegal are leading by a single score.
The sides have been level seven times in a very tight contest.
Michael Murphy opened the scoring in the second minute, pointing from a free but Corkk equalised through Paul Kerrigan.
Paddy Kelly then put Cork ahead only for Colm McFadden to square it at two points a piece from a free.
McFadden scored again after a superb move – Donegal’s first point from open play; but Cork’s Donnacha O’Connor squares it again from a free.
It was end to end stuff – and Donegal took the lead again, this time Murphy scoring a point from a free after McBrearty was flattened.
Ciaran Sheehan in the 20th minute brings it level again at 0-4 to 0-4.
Both sides traded scores until Mark McHugh gives Donegal a half-time lead – 0-08 to 0-07.
It could have been two points but Michael Murphy misses an easy chance.
More nail-biting to come!
DONEGAL: Paul Durcan (Four Masters); Paddy McGrath (Ardara), Neil McGee (Gweedore), Frank McGlynn (Glenfin); Eamonn McGee (Gweedore), Karl Lacey (Four Masters), Anthony Thompson (Naomh Conaill); Neil Gallagher (Glenswilly), Rory Kavanagh (St Eunan’s); Ryan Bradley (Buncrana), Leo McLoone (Naomh Conaill), Mark McHugh (Kilcar); Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar), Michael Murphy (Glenswilly), Colm McFadden (St Michael’s).
