Donegal subdue Derry resistance in Ulster SFC opener

Donegal subdued periods of Derry resistance to earn an in-the-end comfortable 1-25 to 1-15 victory in the Ulster Football Championship opener at Ballybofey.

Shane McGuigan had an early penalty saved by Donegal keeper Shaun Patton and the Oak Leafers missed other potential goal chances as the sides were level at 0-5 to 0-5 after 26 minutes.

However, Daire O Baoill's 1-4 before half-time as Donegal also punished Derry indiscipline helped the home side move into a 1-12 to 1-5 lead by the break even though Dan Higgins also struck a goal for the visitors in the same frenetic period.

Two pointers from Conor Doherty and Brendan Rogers helped Derry - who by now had the wind advantage - cut Donegal's lead to only two after the resumption.

But Jim McGuinness' side responded with seven unanswered points to snuff out Derry's hopes as the home side increased their advantage to nine.

As the Oak Leafers continued to struggle to win keeper Neill McNicholl's kickouts, Donegal were 11 clear at 1-23 to 1-12 up by the 56th minute, which enabled them to take off Patrick McBrearty after he had contributed 0-7.

Donegal were able to utilise their far stronger bench in the closing stages as substitutes Oisin Gallen and Jamie Brennan notched scores after coming on.

In contrast, Derry's bench had an inexperienced look but while it was ultimately a comprehensive defeat for the Oak Leafers, manager Paddy Tally will take positives from their strong-running efforts in the first half.

Derry will be immensely frustrated at failing to exploit several scoring opportunities in the opening half - not least McGuigan's seventh-minute penalty miss.

Donegal were 0-2 to 0-1 ahead with Conor O'Donnell and Ryan McHugh having responded to Padraig McGrogan's opening score when McGuigan failed to beat Shaun Patton from the penalty spot.

The spot-kick was awarded for Hugh McFadden's foul on McGuigan after a quick Derry break but the full-forward's weak shot was saved by Patton, with McGuigan hesitating instead of soccer-styling the rebound to the net which allowed the Donegal keeper to block the follow-up.

Derry continued to chase goals as they were able to make a number of incisions deep into the Donegal defence with Conor Doherty poking wide after losing control of possession following his own charge.

At that stage, Derry trailed 0-4 to 0-2 but a Niall Toner point and a McGuigan free had the sides level by 23rd minute and they were soon back on terms when the Derry full-forward responded to a Peadar Mogan point.

The remaining nine minutes of first-half action was the key period of the contest as O Baoill's first two-pointer was followed immediately by two more Donegal scores as Michael Murphy and McBrearty pointed frees after referee Brendan Cawley had brought the ball forward 50 metres because of Derry indiscipline.

O Baoill's second two-pointer in five minutes put Donegal six up and while Dan Higgins' goal, after another lightning Derry break cut the margin to only three, the home side's response was immediate as a Conor O'Donnell point was followed by O Baoill's goal with Derry defenders retreating instead of taking on the Gweedore man before he fired emphatically into the net from 18 metres.

More to follow.

Donegal: S Patton; F Roarty, B McCole, C Moore; R McHugh, C McGonagle, P Mogan; H McFadden, M Murphy; D O Baoill, C Thompson, S O'Donnell; O McFadden Ferry, C O'Donnell, P McBrearty.

Subs: G Mulreany, M Curran, S McMenamin, K McGettigan, J Brennan, J Mac Ceallabhui, M Langan, N O'Donnell, O Gallen, A Doherty, J McGee.

Derry: N McNicholl; D Baker, B Rogers, M Bradley; C Doherty, P McGrogan, E McEvoy; C Glass, D Higgins; E Doherty, Paul Cassidy, C McFaul; N Toner, S McGuigan, L Murray.

Subs: B McKinless, N Loughlin, P McGurk, D Cassidy, B McCarron, M Doherty, C Devlin, C McMonagle, R Mulholland, C Diamond, K Quinn.