A goal in the 54th minute was the game changer in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, as Donegal overcame Louth to remain unbeaten in Allianz Football League Division 2.
The goal came from a long ball from Dáire Ó Baoill, finished to the net by Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí and it put a five-point gap between the teams, the most significant one during a very tight game.
The final margin flattered Donegal, who were guilty of many mistakes and turnovers despite very good conditions.
Patrick McBrearty and Sam Mulroy were the top scorers for their respective sides while Caolan McGonagle and Peadar Mogan were the real driving force for the winners.
The result continues a very poor run for Louth at the Ballyshannon venue, having lost all five occasions the sides have met there in the league.
Donegal had the advantage of the breeze in the opening half and were two points up inside three minutes through a Patrick McBrearty free and Oisin Gallen.
Sam Mulroy got Louth on the board but McBrearty added another free. By the 12 minute mark Donegal were 0-05 to 0-02 ahead with two more McBrearty points to one from Ciaran Keenan in reply.
Both sides were guilty of turnovers and Sam Mulroy found the range from a free at the third attempt. Shane O'Donnell had Donegal’s sixth but then Louth came strong with points from Mulroy (free) and Ryan Burns and by the 32nd minute they were on terms thanks to further points from Conor Grimes and Ryan Burns.
Donegal lost Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí to a black card but they hit late points from Shane O’Donnell and a fifth McBrearty point left the home side ahead by 0-09 to 0-07 at the break.
Caolan McGonagle and Sam Mulroy traded early second half points and on two occasions the margin was down to one.
Then came the decisive score, a long ball from Dáire Ó Baoill was fielded by Hugh McFadden who slipped it to Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí to finish.
Mulroy kept tipping away at points but Donegal always found a response with Aaron Doherty, Michael Langan and Oisin Gallen with two meant they were able to keep a comfortable distance ahead.
With a trip to Carlow to play Kildare and a final game at home to Meath, things are looking good for Donegal while it is another tough result for the Wee County, who have put it up to most counties.
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí (1-00); Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan (0-01); Shane O’Donnell (0-02), Dáire Ó Baoill, Odhrán Doherty; Patrick McBrearty (0-08,0-07f), Oisin Gallen (0-04), Jamie Brennan.
Subs: Aaron Doherty (0-01) and Hugh McFadden for O Doherty and J Brennan (both 48); Luke McGlynn for O Baoill (59); Stephen McMenamin for Mac Ceallabhui (70); Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride for McGonagle (70+3)
Louth: Nall McDonnell; Donal McKenny (0-01), Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch; Leonard Grey, Anthony Williams, Conall McKeever; Conor Early, Tommy Durnin; Paul Mathews, Ciaran Keenan (0-01), Conor Grimes (0-02); Ryan Burns (0-02), Sam Mulroy (0-07,0-05f, 1m), Tom Jackson.
Subs: Liam Jackson (0-01) for Mathews (40); Kyle McElroy for Burns (54); Sean Marry and Niall Sharkey for T Jackson and Williams (both 65); Jay Hughes for C Keenan (70)
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
