National Football League Division One A: Donegal 2-7 Offaly 1-7 Offaly failed to score in normal time in the second half to let Donegal off the hook in this game at MacCumhaill Park yesterday.
Offaly, fielding an experimental side, were only on parity at half-time after being in control for long periods of the first half.
Donegal manager Brian McEniff, despite relinquishing the managerial reins on the day as a result of recent surgery, was seen in the dressing-room area at the break.
His intervention was needed as Donegal were flattered to be level, 2-3 to 1-6, but they were the stronger side in the second half to edge four points ahead at one stage.
The conditions meant it was never going to be pretty. The driving rain left the pitch very slippery resulting in just five second-half scores in all.
The introduction of Brendan Boyle around the middle of the field made a difference for the home side. The Sligo IT student, star of the Sigerson Cup win over Jordanstown in midweek, drove Donegal forward and also contributed a point.
The battle between All Star Adrian Sweeney and Cathal Daly was one of the tussles of the game with Sweeney edging the contest, kicking two points and setting up the opening goal for Brendan Devenney.
Sweeney was also involved in Donegal's second goal, a minute before the break. His free from near the sideline was met by the inrushing Brian McLaughlin to bring Donegal back into the contest.
Before that Offaly had led on two occasions, the second time after a Ciarán McManus free from 60 metres caused big problems for Donegal's last line and Pascal Kellaghan nipped in to get the ball over the line.
The game was well contested with three Offaly men booked - Kellaghan, McManus and Barry Mooney - while Michael Hegarty received a yellow card for Donegal.
DONEGAL: T Blake; E McGee, R Sweeney, S Carr; D McNamara, B Monaghan, K Cassidy; P McGonigle, J Haran; B McLaughlin (1-0), M Hegarty, B Roper; J McCafferty, A Sweeney (0-2, 1 free), B Devenney (1-3, 2 frees). Subs: B Boyle (0-1) for McCafferty; J Gildea for Haran; C Toye (0-1) for McLaughlin; C McFadden for McGonigle.
OFFALY: K Meehan; B Mooney (0-1), C Daly, M Flynn; S Sullivan, S Brady, M Mitchell; M Daly (0-1), C McManus (0-2, 1 free); C Farrell, P Kellaghan (1-0), J Quinn; T Deehan, N Coughlan (0-2), N McNamee (0-1). Subs: C Quinn for Deehan; J O'Neill for J Quinn; A McNamee for Kellaghan; C Evans for Sullivan; J Reynolds for O'Neill.
Referee: M Daly (Mayo).
