DONEGAL’S reputation for being stronger in the second half certainly proved true tonight after coming from behind to beat Down by 0-12 to 0-7.
Donegal had trailed by a point at half-time in Ballybofey, the Mournemen ahead five points to four at the break.
But captain and man of the match Michael Murphy continued his great form of recent games for college and county by levelling not long after the re-start.
Club colleague Neil Gallagher replaced Martin McElhinney at the re-start and his presence began to turn the game Donegal’s way.
It allowed Rory Kavanagh to score and put Donegal ahead 0-06 to 0-05 and it was a lead Donegal would not lose as Murphy hit six points for his side, two from play and four from frees.
Donegal had stuttered in the first half, with Murphy missing a free before pointing a second opportunity a minute later.
Ross Wherrity added a brilliant second after some good work from Murphy and Mark McHugh, whose brother Ryan made his league debut tonight.
Then Down came back and pushed ahead, scoring five points as the clock ticked down with goalie Kevin McKernan pointing from a free before then making a great save for Down.
A Murphy point from a free reduced the deficit to leave Donegal a point behind at the break.
Just two points from play and it hadn’t been a great spectacle for the estimated 6,000 fans at MacCumhaill Park.
But then Donegal went on to hit nine points without reply, Down adding a couple of consolation points before the end.
Scorers – Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-6, 4f; Declan Walsh, Leo McLoone, Rory Kavanagh, Colm McFadden (f), Ross Wherity and Daniel McLaughlin 0-1 each.
Down: Donal O’Hare 0-5,4f; Kevin McKernan 0-1, 1f
Donegal: Paul Durcan; Declan Walsh, Neil McGee, Eamon McGee; Ryan McHugh, Leo McLoone, Anthony Thompson; Rory Kavanagh, Martin McElhinney; Mark McHugh, Michael Murphy, Ryan Bradley; Colm McFadden, Ross Wherity, Patrick McBrearty. Subs., Neil Gallagher for McElhinney ht; Demot Molloy for McBrearty 55; Daniel McLaughlin for McFadden 63; Odhran Mac Niallais for N McGee 70
Down: Michael Cunningham; Damian Turley, Daniel McCartan, Ryan Boyle; Ryan Mallon, Aidan Carr, Brendan McArdle; Kalum King, Kevin McKernan; Keith Quinn, Mark Poland, Paul McComiskey; Conor Laverty, Connaire Harrison, Donal O’Hare. Subs., Peter Turley for B McArdle ht; Benny Coulter for Harrison 47; Declan Rooney for Mallon 48; Danny Savage for D Turley 56; Conor Gough for King 58.
Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo).
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