Donegal 1- 9 Tipperary 2-5  MICHAEL MURPHY kicked seven points to keep Donegal in the hunt for promotion with a slender win over Tipperary at Semple Stadium, Thurles, on Saturday evening.

Donegal were on top in the first half. Murphy had four points in 13 minutes to settle them as they went 0-5 to 0-1 clear. Struggling Tipperary were gifted a goal in the 21st minute when Stephen Hahessy’s 45 was misjudged by Donegal goalkeeper Paul Durcan and ended in the net.

Still the Ulstermen went on to lead 0-6 to 1-1 at the break.

Tipperary restarted well and cut the lead to a point but in the 48th minute, Stephen Griffin, with his first touch of the ball, shot a Donegal goal, after good work by Colm McFadden.

Two further Murphy points had Donegal coasting but Tipperary rallied with a Robbie Costigan goal in the 56th minute.

They piled on the pressure with two further points from Barry Grogan frees, but time was against them and Donegal held out for a valuable brace of points.

Murphy’s accuracy was the key to Donegal’s win. Five of his seven points were from frees, but he also led the attack well. Midfielder Neil Gallagher was also outstanding.

DONEGAL:P Durcan; S Boyle, N McGee, K Lacey; M Maguire, A Thompson, K Cassidy; N Gallagher, B Boyle; D Walsh, C Dunne, B Dunnion; C McFadden (0-2), M Murphy (0-7), A Hanlon. Subs:F McGlynn for Maguire, S Griffin (1-0) for Hanlon, O Wade for Boyle, L McLoone for Dunnion.

TIPPERARY:P Fitzgerald; C McDonald, N Curran, P Codd; C Aylward, R Costigan(1-1), C McGrath; G Hannigan, H Coghlan; P Acheson, P Austin (0-1), B Mulvihill; S Hahessy (1-0), C Coen (0-1), B Grogan (0-2). Subs:S Carey for Mulvihill. J Cagney for Hahessy, D Burke for McGrath, R O Dwyer for Austin, A Rockett for Coghlan.

Referee:M Collins (Cork)