Donegal powered through their preliminary round Ulster championship clash with Derry to set up a quarter-final game with Monaghan in two weeks' time.
Donegal led by seven at half-time and even though Derry cut the lead to two early in the second, the home side surged ahead again and never looked in trouble in the final quarter.
Donegal made three changes to their selected team with Michael Murphy, Patrick McBrearty and Odhran McFadden Ferry starting.
The opening quarter was very cagey with Donegal ahead after nine minutes before Derry won a penalty. Shaun Patton denied Shane McGuigan and also got up to parry the rebound to safety. Derry still were back on terms on three occasions by the 25th minute at 0-05 each, helped by a Lachlan Murray point and two frees from Shane McGuigan.
Donegal then availed of the 50m rule on two occasions and a pair of two pointers from Dáire Ó Baoill to stretch six clear at 0-11 to 0-05.
Derry were back in the game after a sweeping move with Lachlan Murray again involved before Dan Higgins found the net.
Conor O'Donnell replied for Donegal and then Ciaran Thompson won a kick-out and Dáire O Baoill strode forward to find the net and a flattering seven-point lead at half-time.
HT: DON 1-12 DER 1-05
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 6, 2025
Goal from championship debutant Dan Higgins. Donegal respond almost immediately with their own goal then the hooter goes.
📺 @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
📻 Sunday Sport @RTERadio1
📱 updates 👇https://t.co/gxPk9tRAb0 pic.twitter.com/LyEyVi8ixh
Derry set out their stall at the start of the second half with five points including two two-pointers, from the irrepressible Brendan Rogers and Conor Doherty.
But the Donegal response just about killed off the game. They hit seven points without reply with Patrick McBrearty to the fore and a couple of great scores from Ciaran Moore and Peadar Mogan.
Ahead by 1-23 to 1-12 deep into the last quarter it was just a matter of matching Derry scores and Donegal were able to bring in Jason McGee, Jamie Brennan and Oisin Gallen, the latter also getting on the scoreboard.
FT: DON 1-25 DER 1-15
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 6, 2025
Jamie Brennan closes scoring with a point from play. Donegal will face Monaghan next who are fresh from a Division 2 league title.
📺 @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer
📻 Sunday Sport @RTERadio1
📱 Updates 👇https://t.co/gxPk9tRAb0 #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/1wOJ0DOKRW
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty (0-01), Brendan McCole, Odhránn McFadden-Ferry; Ryan McHugh (0-01), Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan (0-02); Hugh McFadden, Ciaran Moore (0-02); Daire Ó Baoill (1-04, 2 tp), Ciarán Thompson, Shane O'Donnell (0-02); Conor O'Donnell (0-02), Michael Murphy (0-02, 1f), Patrick McBrearty (0-07, 3f).
Subs: Mark Curran for McFadden-Ferry (half-time), Oisin Gallen (0-01) for C O’Donnell (50), Jamie Brennan (0-01) for McBrearty (57), Jason McGee for McFadden (60), Niall O’Donnell for Roarty (66).
Derry: Neil McNicholl; Diarmuid Baker, Brendan Rogers (0-05, 2 tp), Martin Bradley; Conor Doherty (0-02, tp), Padraig McGrogan (0-01), Eoin McEvoy; Conor Glass, Dan Higgins (1-00); Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy, Ciarán McFaul; Niall Toner (0-01), Shane McGuigan (0-04f), Lachlan Murray (-02, 1f).
Subs: Niall Loughlin for Higgins (38), Cahir McMonagle for Toner (51), Patrick McGurk for E.Doherty (57), Declan Cassidy for McGrogan (66).
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).
