Donegal subdue Derry resistance in Ulster SFC opener

Donegal subdued periods of Derry resistance to earn an in-the-end comfortable 1-25 to 1-15 victory in the Ulster Football Championship opener at Ballybofey.

Shane McGuigan had an early penalty saved by Donegal keeper Shaun Patton and the Oak Leafers missed other potential goal chances as the sides were level at 0-5 to 0-5 after 26 minutes.

However, Daire O Baoill hit 1-4 before half-time helped the home side move into a 1-12 to 1-5 lead by the break even though Dan Higgins also struck a goal for the visitors in the same frenetic period.

Two-pointers from Conor Doherty and Brendan Rogers helped Derry - who by now had the wind advantage - cut Donegal's lead to only two after the resumption.

But Jim McGuinness' side responded with seven unanswered points to snuff out Derry's hopes as the home side increased their advantage to nine.

As the Oak Leafers continued to struggle to win debutant keeper Neill McNicholl's kickouts, Donegal were 11 clear at 1-23 to 1-12 up by the 56th minute, which enabled them to take off Patrick McBrearty after he had contributed 0-7.

Donegal were able to utilise their far stronger bench in the closing stages as substitutes Oisin Gallen and Jamie Brennan notched scores after coming on.

In contrast, Derry's list of substitutes had an inexperienced look but while it was ultimately a comprehensive defeat for the Oak Leafers who suffered relegation from Division One, manager Paddy Tally will take positives from their strong-running efforts in the first half.

Derry chase early goals

Derry will be immensely frustrated at failing to exploit several scoring opportunities in the opening half - not least McGuigan's seventh-minute penalty miss.

Donegal were 0-2 to 0-1 ahead with Conor O'Donnell and Ryan McHugh having responded to Padraig McGrogan's opening score when McGuigan failed to beat Shaun Patton from the penalty spot.

The spot-kick was awarded for Hugh McFadden's foul on McGuigan after a quick Derry break but the full-forward's weak shot was saved by Patton, with McGuigan hesitating instead of soccer-styling the rebound to the net which allowed the Donegal keeper to block the follow-up.

Derry continued to chase goals as they were able to make a number of incisions deep into the Donegal defence with Conor Doherty poking wide after losing control of possession following his own charge.

At that stage, Derry trailed 0-4 to 0-2 but a Niall Toner point and a McGuigan free had the sides level by 23rd minute and they were soon back on terms when the Derry full-forward responded to a Peadar Mogan point.

The remaining nine minutes of first-half action was the key period of the contest as O Baoill's first two-pointer was followed immediately by two more Donegal scores as Michael Murphy and McBrearty pointed frees after referee Brendan Cawley had brought the ball forward 50 metres because of Derry indiscipline.

O Baoill's second two-pointer in five minutes put Donegal six up and while Dan Higgins' goal, after another lightning Derry break cut the margin to only three, the home side's response was immediate as a Conor O'Donnell point was followed by O Baoill's goal with Derry defenders retreating instead of taking on the Gweedore man before he fired emphatically into the net from 18 metres.

Michael Murphy made his return to championship duty for the first time since 2022

Murphy's inclusion as he made his first championship appearance since 2022 was one of three later changes to the Donegal starting line-up as McBrearty and Odhran McFadden Ferry were also drafted in with Michael Langan, Niall O'Donnell and Aaron Doherty making way.

Murphy was relatively subdued in the first half as he was well marshalled by Eoin McEvoy but his more prominent second half included a lovely late score from play as Derry noticeably tired.

Derry did summon up a big effort after the resumption as a Rogers' point and two-pointer and another score from outside the 40-metre arc by Conor Doherty cut Donegal's lead to only two.

However, yet more Derry indiscipline gifted a relieving close-range free for McBrearty which began a run of seven straight Donegal points which included scores by Shane O'Donnell, Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan and championship debutant Finbarr Roarty.

Nine down after 47 minutes, it was obvious there was going to be no road back to the Oak Leafers as Donegal were lording midfield possession with Derry unable to win ball on McNicholl's kickouts.

Three more McBrearty points brought his tally up to 0-7 before he was replaced by Jamie Brennan.

Donegal's squad strength was emphasised by them being able to bring on the likes of Brennan, Oisin Gallen and Jason McGee as they can now look forward to the provincial quarter-final against Monaghan at Clones on 20 April.

In contrast, Derry's bench had a callow look with Paddy Tally without injured former All-Stars Gareth McKinless and Conor McCluskey in addition to goalkeeper Odhran Lynch and Anton Tohill because of injury.

The Oak Leafers will hope that some of them are available for their All-Ireland Championship campaign which will begin next month.

Donegal: S Patton; F Roarty (0-1), B McCole, C Moore (0-2); R McHugh (0-1), C McGonagle, P Mogan (0-2); H McFadden, M Murphy (0-2); D O Baoill (1-4), C Thompson, S O'Donnell (0-2); O McFadden Ferry, C O'Donnell (0-2), P McBrearty (0-7).

Subs: M Curran for McFadden-Ferry HT, J Brennan (0-1) for McBrearty 57, J Mac Ceallabhui, O Gallen for C O'Donnell 50, J McGee for McFadden, N O'Donnell for Roarty 66.

Not used: G Mulreany, S McMenamin, K McGettigan, M Langan, A Doherty

Derry: N McNicholl; D Baker, B Rogers (0-5), M Bradley; C Doherty (0-2), P McGrogan (0-1), E McEvoy; C Glass, D Higgins (1-0); E Doherty, Paul Cassidy, C McFaul; N Toner (0-1), S McGuigan (0-4), L Murray (0-2).

Subs: N Loughlin for Higgins 38, P McGurk for E Doherty 57, D Cassidy for McGrogan 66, C McMonagle for Toner 51.

Not used: B McKinless, B McCarron, M Doherty, C Devlin, R Mulholland, C Diamond, K Quinn.

Referee: B Cawley (Kildare).