Donegal were convincing winners in the top of the Allianz Football League Division 1 table clash with Mayo at O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny.
Jim McGuinness’ side did the spadework in the opening half when they produced a very good 35 minutes despite being at a disadvantage.
Despite playing against the wind and rain, Donegal were by far the superior side in the opening half and their lead of 0-11 to 0-05 at the break didn’t flatter them.
Mayo seemed intent on kicking every ball but they got little change out of a Donegal defence with Brendan McCole really strong at full-back.
Young Conor McCahill, making his first start in the league, put Donegal on their way with two quick points and Oisin Gallen, impressive in the opening half, added two more.
There was 16 minutes on the clock before Ryan O’Donoghue opened Mayo’s account with a two point free. Donegal were able to get in for scores at will with Gallen, Conor O’Donnell and Finnbarr Roarty pushing them five clear.
Mayo did add three points before the break from Jordan Flynn, Bob Tuohy and Sam Callinan but Donegal were able to cancel those with ease with Conor O’Donnell, Ryan McHugh and two more from Oisin Gallen.
Mayo needed a lift and they got a good start to the second half with points from Darragh Beirne and Conor Loftus and Beirne was denied a goal by Gavin Mulreany. Ryan McHugh cancelled those Mayo scores with a two pointer.
Oisin Gallen and Beirne traded scores and Mulreany was called upon again to deny Ryan O’Donoghue.
But Donegal had the first goal when Peadar Mogan crossed for Conor O’Donnell to palm home for a 1-14 to 0-08 lead on 46 minutes.
Finnbarr Roarty made it a 10-point game as Michael Murphy came in for Oisin Gallen.
Mayo cut the lead to eight with points from Ryan O’Donoghue, Sam Callinan and Enda Hession as the Donegal kick-out strategy went awry. Shane O’Donnell steadied the Donegal ship as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
Mayo kept plugging away but never looked like bridging the gap as Donegal keep their 100% record after round three.
Donegal: Gavin Mulreany; Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh (0-03,1tp), Caolan McGonagle, Finnbarr Roarty (0-02); Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Shane O’Donnell (0-01), Conor O’Donnell (1-03), Ciaran Moore (0-01); Conor McCahill (0-03), Jason McGee, Oisin Gallen (0-06,1f).
Subs: Michael Murphy for Gallen (47); Turlough Carr for E Ban Gallagher (56); Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride for J McGee (59); Shea Malone and Paul O’Hare for McCahill and McHugh (both 65)
Mayo: Rob Hennelly; Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Enda Hession (0-01); Sam Callinan (0-02), Donnacha McHugh, Fenton Kelly; Bob Tuohy (0-01), Diarmuid O'Connor; Jack Carney, Ryan O'Donoghue (0-04,tpf,1f), Jordan Flynn (0-02); Darragh Beirne (0-02), James Carr, Fergal Boland (0-01).
Subs: Conor Loftus (0-01) for Carr (28); Paddy Durcan for D McHugh (ht); Diarmaid Duffy for A O’Shea (51); Seamus Howard for F Kelly (58)
Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)
