Donegal and Galway played out an entertaining draw in O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny but Donegal will rue 13 wides.
The home side led by six at one stage in the first half and by three at half-time but it took them almost 32 minutes to raise a flag in the second period as Galway slowly cut the margin and went two ahead.
Donegal finally got going and in the end a draw was probably a fair result.
On a day borrowed from summer, the sides were evenly matched in the first quarter as they shared six points. It took nine minutes for the first score to arrive as both sides played it safe.
Finally Cathal Sweeney burst through from half back to open Galway’s account.
Conor O’Donnell replied immediately. Matthew Tierney after being short from a 45-metre free got a second chance from a '45’ and made no mistake while Oisin Gallen clipped over Donegal’s reply.
Peter Cooke and Jamie Brennan also traded points by the 17th minute, but then Donegal opened a gap. Conor O’Donnell had claims for a penalty for a tug before Caolan McGonagle and Shaun Patton (45m free) put Donegal two in front.
It got better on 26 minutes when a high ball from Conor O’Donnell dropped short and caused confusion in the Galway goal. ‘Keeper Connor Gleeson fisted it up in the air and John Daly was penalised for throwing the ball clear. From the penalty Oisin Gallen’s effort was parried by Gleeson but had just enough power to get over the line.
The reply was immediate for Galway with just 43 seconds between the Donegal goal and Matthew Tierney firing low past Shaun Patton.
The only other score of the opening half came courtesy of one of Shaun Patton’s long kick-outs which found Michael Langan and he fired over from just inside the 45-metre line.
Half-time: Donegal 1-6, Galway 1-3.
Donegal wasted two chances to add to the lead while Galway availed of their chances from Paul Conroy (free) and Robert Finnerty to leave just a point between them after eight minutes of the new half.
Donegal had two more off target before Matthew Tierney levelled the game on 52 minutes.
The trend continued with Oisin Gallen wide off an upright while Paul Conroy edged Galway in front from a free.
Donegal were almost in for a goal on 65 minutes when Peadar Mogan cut across the Galway square but his first effort and the rebound were both blocked.
After 31 minutes and 40 seconds Donegal finally got a second half score with Oisin Gallen converting. And they were back on terms when Conor O’Donnell pointed on 69 minutes.
Robert Finnerty punched Galway ahead again as the game entered five minutes of added time. Donegal, now awake from their slumber, levelled again through Jason McGee.
Paul Conroy had a chance to win it for Galway but his free tailed just wide.
Donegal: Shaun Patton (0-01f); Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Marty O’Reilly; Caolan McColgan, Stephen McMenamin, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Jason McGee (0-01); Michael Langan (0-01), Dáire Ó Baoill, Conor O’Donnell (0-02); Hugh McFadden, Oisin Gallen (1-02,1-00 pen), Jamie Brennan (0-01).
Subs: Peadar Mogan for O’Reilly (ht); Rory O’Donnell for H McFadden (59); Johnny McGroddy for O Baoill (66)
Galway: Connor Gleeson; Jack Glynn, Sean Kelly, Eoghan Kelly; Dylan McHugh, John Daly, Cathal Sweeney (0-01); Paul Conroy (0-02, 2f), Cillian McDaid; Matthew Tierney (1-03, 0-1 ’45), Peter Cooke (0-01), Johnny Heaney; Patrick Kelly, Gerard Davoren, Ian Burke.
Subs: Robert Finnerty (0-02) for Davoren (ht); John Maher for Cooke; Ryan Monaghan for Patrick Kelly (both 49); Dessie Conneely for C McDaid (55)
Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)
