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Mayo unable to hold out for victory

Donegal 1-13 Mayo 0-12: Donegal made it six wins out of six in 2007 with a marvellous display in front of 6,000 spectators in…

Mon Feb 12 2007 - 00:00

Donegal 1-13 Mayo 0-12:Donegal made it six wins out of six in 2007 with a marvellous display in front of 6,000 spectators in Ballybofey yesterday.

The eventual winners started well and led by three points at the end of the first quarter but thanks to a fine display by David Brady at midfield, Mayo were a point ahead, 0-7 to 0-6, at the break.

Brendan Devenney and Conor Mortimer were the main scorers for the respective teams in the first half, both notching three points each. Pat Harte put Mayo two ahead after the break but Donegal hit back and a goal from Ryan Bradley in the 46th minute put them on their way.

Their good work was almost undone when they allowed a high ball finish into the net with seven minutes left. The ball deflected off Donegal captain Neil Gallagher's knee and under the legs of goalkeeper Paul Durcan.

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The Donegal response, though, was positive and in the final minutes Kevin McMenamin (two) and substitute Colm McFadden hit three points to clinch victory.

Donegal manager Brian McIver made some good changes during the game, bringing in Patrick McConigley at half-time and the introduction of Frank McGlynn and Adrian Sweeney was also vital.

Barry Dunnion, Karl Lacey, Kevin Cassidy were excellent in defence while Brendan Devenney, Ciarán Bonner, Kevin McMenamin and Brian Roper all made valuable contributions.

DONEGAL: P Durcan; T Donoghue, P Campell, K Lacey; E McGee, B Monaghan, B Dunnion (0-1); K Cassidy, N Gallagher; C Toye (0-1), C Bonner (0-2), B Roper; K McMenamin (0-4, three frees), B Devenney (0-4, three frees), R Bradley (1-0). Subs: P McConigley for E McGee, F McGlynn for Donoghue, A Sweeney for Toye, C McFadden (0-1) for Roper.

MAYO: D Clarke; L O'Malley, J Kilcullen, K Higgins; D Heaney, BJ Padden, P Gardiner; P Harte (0-1), D Brady; A Moran (0-1), T Mortimer, A Dillon (0-2, two frees); C Mortimer (0-4, two frees), K O'Neill, A O'Malley (0-2). Subs: D Nallen for Heaney, M McNicholas for O'Neill, G Brady for Moran, M Ronaldson for O'Malley, A Campbell for C Mortimer. Mayo goal: N Gallagher (og).

Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).