GAA: Donegal too strong for Longford in 0-12 to 0-7 win

Michael Murphy drives through the Longford defence

Donegal were forced to dig deep before finally seeing off the spirited challenge of a gutsy Longford side by 0-12 to 0-7 in this All-Ireland qualifier at Ballybofey.

The midlanders had to play the last 25 minutes with 14 players after James McGivney was sent off and that was enough for Donegal to take control and kill off the prospect of a shock defeat.

In a tight first half where large numbers of players were back in their own halves, both sides were guilty of poor shot selection with Donegal kicking 10 wides and Longford nine.

The Leinster side showed no fear to their illustrious hosts and opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a pointed free from Robbie Smyth. Michael Murphy levelled for Donegal with a well struck free from distance.

Mark Anthony McGinley challenges Larry Moran

Longford's forwards drew Donegal defenders into fouls and two pointed frees from David McGivney gave them a two-point lead in the 21st minute. Robbie Smyth very nearly caught Donegal's 'keeper Mark Anthony McGinley out when he flicked the ball over his head but the ball bounced wide of the post.

The first point from play came in the 22nd minute through Paddy McBrearty. It was Donegal's first score in 16 minutes. Longford lost sweeper Daniel Mimnagh in the 25th minute through a black card after he hauled down Murphy.

Both sides then wasted scoring opportunities and the next point didn't come until the 32nd minute; McGivney kicking over his third free of the game. Right before the break Donegal got a much-needed point through sub Martin McElhinney to leave them just trailing by one point; 0-4 to 0-3.

Martin Reilly of Donegal has his shot blocked by Barry Gilleran of Longford

Despite restoring their two-point advantage in the 37th minute, Longford were dealt a blow minutes later when Darren Gallagher received a black card. They then kicked two wides in a row in a dominant spell.

Murphy (free) and McElhinney drew Donegal level before Longford were reduced to 14 men in the 48th minute when James McGivney was shown a second yellow by Armagh referee Padraig Hughes.

With numerical advantage, Donegal began to get on top. They took the lead for the first time in the 49th minute and were three up in the 58th minute. They also decided to empty their bench and introduced Mark McHugh and Karl Lacey. McBrearty kept the scoreboard ticking with pointed frees as they advanced to round 3.

A disappointed Michael Quinn and Padraig McCormack of Longford look on following the defeat

Donegal: M A McGinley; P McGrath, N McGee, C Ward; R McHugh, F McGlynn, E B Gallagher; J McGee, C Thompson; M Carroll, M O'Reilly, E McHugh (0-1); P McBrearty (0-5, 0-4f), M Murphy (0-3, 0-3f), C Mulligan.

Subs: M McElhinney (0-2) for Carroll (28), H McFadden for J McGee (49), J Brennan (0-1) for O'Reilly (53), M McHugh for McGlynn (55), K Lacey for Langan (57)

Longford: P Collum; D Masterson (0-1), P McCormack, B Gilleran; D McElligott, M Quinn, D Reynolds; J Keegan, D McGivney (0-3,0-3f); D Mimnagh, J McGivney, D Gallagher; R Smyth (0-3, 0-3f), L Connerton, B McKeon.

Subs: C Berry for Mimnagh bc (26), L Moran for Gallagher bc (42), A Farrell for McKeon and R McEntire for D McGivney (66), J Kelly for Connerton (69)

Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)