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Dublin v Donegal

Dublin v Donegal

Dublin face Donegal in both the minor and senior All-Ireland football semi-finals

John O'Sullivan Sun, Aug 31
 
LIVE: Dublin v Donegal

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  • Hello and welcome to today's Live GAA Blog. Who will join Kerry in the All Ireland Senior Football Final in Croke Park next month after yesterday's stunning semi-final in the Gaelic Grounds where Kerry outlasted Mayo after extra time by 3-16 to 3-13.

    Today it's the turn of champions Dublin and the team that preceded and suceeded them as All Ireland champions, Donegal. The sun is splitting the stones and  Headquarters is in pristine condition after being loaned to  American Football yesterday.

     We'll be keeping a weather eye on the minor match. It's currently Dublin 0-2 Donegal 0-1

  • Dubs manager Jim Gavin is fond of the odd late change or two but here's theoretically how the champions are going to line out according to the programme.
  • Dublin now lead in the minor match by 0-3 to 0-1 after 16 minutes.  

  • Con O'Callaghan is a talented young player, footballer and hurler; he's got his second point.

     Dublin 0-4 Donegal 0-1

  • GOAL: Donegal, full forward John Campbell with a palmed finish. He then tags on a point straight away to level the match.  

    Dublin 0-5 Donegal 1-2

  • Donegal have got the last four scores, 1-3 and now lead by two points.


    Donegal 1-4 Dublin 0-5

  • It's important to nail your colours to the mast, to use a cliche.
  • Donegal 1-5 Dublin 0-6, last minute of the half.
  • These biys are doing their county proud at the moment.

  • Stephen McBrearty, a brother of Paddy tags on a point.

    Half-time: Donegal 1-6 Dublin 0-6

  • You never know who.s watching GAA.
  • Right time for som e cutsy photographs

  • Time to resume in the Minor semi-final with Donegal three points to the good.

    Donegal 1-6 Dublin 0-6

  • Eoin McHugh right from the throw-in races 40 metres and taps over a point. Donegal 1-6 Dublin 0-7
  • BLACK CARD: Donegal's Niall Friel

  • O'Callaghan point. Conor Morrison replaces Friel.  

    Donegal 1-6 Dublin 0-8

  • Cian Mulligan with a fine point for Donegal. Donegal 1-7 Dublin 0-8
  • The difference so far between the teams apart from the goal is that Donegal forwards are taking their chances and their Dublin counterparts are missing too many. Dubs have more possession but have been wasteful.

  • Chris Salier, Dublin's corner forward makes it a one point match.

    Donegal 1-8 Dublin 0-10

  • McBrearty responds for Donegal. Dublin again turnover possession cheaply and Donegal make them pay. Donegal 1-9 Dublin 0-10
  • GOAL: Dublin
  • Quick free and Jack Burke finishes to the net. Dublin 1-10 Donegal 1-9
  • Basquel who had a big hand in the goal tags on a point. Dublin 1-11 Donegal 1-9
  • Howard with a poor miss for Dublin. It's an Achilles heel for these young Dubs.
  • Mulligan overplays the ball in front of the Dublin goal and concedes a free.
  • There's just under 10 minutes to go.
  • End to end excitement.
  • Eoin McHugh is the latest player to take too much out of the ball.
  • Interesting statistical breakdown of yesterday's seneior semi-final in Limerick.
  • Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice on a scouting mission or simply enjoying a day out at a football match without any responsibility or television cameras picking up his every gesture.  

  • McBrearty with a wonderful point to tie the scores. Donegal had missed a few chances but that was a brilliant score.

    Donegal 1-11 Dublin 1-11

  • There are four minutes left.
  • Dublin's inaccuracy in front of goal is going to cost them.
  • They've squandered so much possession.

  • Mix-up in Dubs defence and Donegal grab the lead.

    Donegal 1-12 Dublin 1-11

  • Donegal have shown great character and also accuracy in front of goal. They've had less possession but have made better use of it.
  • There are 15 seconds left and Dublin have a 40-metre free.
  • There will be one minute of additional time. Boos ring out from Donegal supporters.
  • O'Callaghan's effort of batted out for a 45. That'll be the last action.

  • Short. Donegal win Minor semi-final.

    Full-time: Donegal 1-12 Dublin 1-11

  • Donegal's ability to get more from less possession the reason they're in a All Ireland Minor Final. The young Dubs will rue their inaccuracy in front of goal and some overplaying of the football. Lax passing a killer too.  Not sure if you'd describe Donegal as a better team but it doesn't matter, they're through.  
  • Congratulations to the Donegal Minors make history by making a Final for the first time.
  • Dublin are 1/7 favourites with the bookies, Donegal 11/2 and the draw 16/1
  • Here's how the teams are due to line out.
  • Stephen McBrearty was named  man of the match in the Minor semi-final. Wonder if his brother Paddy can make it a family double in the senior game.
  • No sign of the teams yet for the senior match.
  • Right Donegal team at last. Rory Kavanagh comes in for Christy Toye, David Walsh replaces Paddy McBrearty.
  • Six minutes to throw-in.
  • Jim McGuinness in the middle of the Donegal huddle.
  • Dubs two late changes. Jack McCaffrey, Cormac Costello are in for Nicky Devereux and Kevin McManamon
  • Parade time.

  • Colm O'Rourke: Dublin

    Pat Spillane: Dublin

    Joe Brolly: Dublin

  • It's probably going to be Donegal so.
  • Michael Murphy has now taken centre stage in the team huddle
  • Dubs playing into the Hill in the first half.
  • Referee is Joe McQuillan of Cavan.
  • Time to go.
  • James McCarthy penalised for a frontal charge and gets a yellow card.
  • Michael Murphy gives Donegal the lead from the free. Donegal 0-1 Dublin 0-0
  • Donegal have 13 players behind the ball but Paul Flynn scores a superb long range point. Donegal 0-1 Dublin 0-1  

  • Bernard Brogan gives the Dubs the lead after Philly McMahon miscues his shot.

    Dublin 0-2 Donegal 0-1

  • Diarmuid Connolly with a beauty from long range. Dublin 0-3 Donegal 0-1
  • Flynn with a second point, again beautifully struck. Dublin 0-4 Donegal 0-1
  • Off the ball incident, Rory O'Carroll ends up on the ground. Neil Gallagher yellow card for thowing Dublin player to the ground.
  • Dublin's long range shooting is very impressive at the moment.

  • Donegal can get as many players as they like behind the ball but if they stay narrow in defence Dublin will go around them or find space on the outside.

    Stephen Cluxton pulls a 45 wide. First miss.

  • Costello with a second wide.
  • Coming up to the 10th minute
  • That's better defending from Donegal

  • Eoghan O'Gara should have taken the shot himself rather than playing the more difficult pass inside to Bernard Brogan who didn't get a proper contact with his fists. Good goal chance gone abegging.

    Donegal go down and nick a point through Karl Lacey. Dublin 0-4 Donegal 0-2

  • Dublin wasting good possession. Donegal hunting them down with numbers. The reason the Dubs were successful early on was their ability to move the ball ahead of the tackle, make space and shoot accurately from long range. Taking too much out of the ball now.
  • Cluxton plucks a Ryan McHugh shot from underneath the crossbar.
  • That is brilliant from Flynn. Another gorgeous strike. Dublin 0-5 Donegal 0-2
  • That was Dublin's first score in 10 minutes.
  • Connolly with a stunning score. When the Dublin forwards concentrate, they're a joy to match. Great strike again.  Dublin 0-6 Donegal 0-2  
  • Dublin doing well on Durcan's kickouts.
  • Kavanagh with a slightly panicked pass, sees the ball drift wide.
  • Simple football, beautiful point from Phill McMahon. Dublin 0-7 Donegal 0-2
  • No free but Kavanagh gets a soft decision. Murphy shows his class from a tight angle. Dublin 0-7 Donegal 0-3
  • Kavanagh with his team's second wide. Dublin's intensity has dropped a tad.
  • Then Alan Brogan pops up and thumps the ball over the bar. Dublin 0-8 Donegal 0-3
  • Kavanagh gets his point eventually. Dublin 0-8 Donegal 0-4
  • Dublin goal chance but Connolly shoots weakly.

  • Connolly atones with a super individual score. Lots of technical excellence to create that chance.

    Christy Toye on for Walsh.

    Dublin 0-9 Donegal 0-4

  • Ryan McHugh point after good work by Toye. That was a bit soft from the Dubs defence. Standing off a little.
  • Two in a row for Donegal Odhran MacNiallais. Dublin 0-9 Donegal 0-6
  • Dublin have dropped their intensity and Donegal spurn another golden chance, this time Murphy. Three turnovers from Dublin in possession. Really sloppy. He makes up for it 60 seconds later. Dublin 0-9 Donegal 0-7  
  • Michael Dara Macauley loses possession, poor choice. McMahon concedes free but MacNiallais puts it wide.  
  • Flynn miscues one, a collector's item on the day given the quality of his striking.

  • Donegal right back in this game.

    GOAL: Ryan McHugh. Series of erros in Dublin defence. and McHugh snaffles ball and shots along the ground.

    Donegal 1-7 Dublin 0-9

  • Donegal have now scored 1-3 without reply and Doblin's last score was eight minutes ago.
  • Another Donegal free. MacNiallais does brilliantly. McFadden taps it over. Donegal 1-8 Dublin 0-9
  • Flynn with a fourth point, all high quality. Donegal 1-8 Dublin 0-10
  • Donegal goal came from a high ball that Murphy contested with Cluxton. Fitzsimons lost the bouncing ball and McHugh received the pass to thump a daisy cutter over the line.
  • Half-time: Donegal 1-8 Dublin 0-10

  • Right where to start. Dublin started superbly but after the 20-minute mark their patterns began pock marked with a sloppiness in possession.

    Donegal showed great character to come back from a period early on when they watched the Dubs post one long range score after another. Their points have come a little easier. Dublin's defence has stood off a little and it's been a real issue.

    The goal came from a high punt that the Dubs' defence made a meal of but McHugh was calmness personified in his finish.

  • If the Dubs don't get tighter in defence, a first championship defeat under Jim Gavin is looming. Costello hasn't been in the game, nor O'Gara. Connolly and the excellent Flynn have kept the Dubs rolling but they'll need more support.

     MacNiallais has been brilliant for Donegal and their defence has foced about a dozen turnovers.

  • Here's a breakdown in the scoring.
  • Joe Brolly disgusted that Pat Spillane stole his oxygen by butting in when he was just about to launch into an impassioned soliloquy about the virtues of Donegal football.  

  • Donegal: More of the same. Tigerish in defence and getting numbers around the Dublin ball carrier. Carry at Dublin defence and force more frees. NB: Shut down Paul Flynn.

    Dublin: Build-up the pace and intensity. Stop over carrying and  being shepherded into cul-de-sacs. More accurate with the passing. NB: Give Flynn or Diarmuid Connolly the ball. Oh, and taken goal chances. They're going to need them.

  • Attendance: 81, 500
  • Dublin went 18 minutes in two tranches 10 and eight minutes without a score.
  • Right time for the second half. Bring it on.............
  • Dublin: Nicky Devereux for McCaffrey
  • Alan Brogan misses a relatively easy chance.
  • McFadden misses an arguably easier chance for Donegal.
  • Toye with a shot that bounces harmlessly short. O'Gara just not in this match.

  • GOAL: Donegal, McHugh with a fisted finish, his second of the match.

    Donegal 2-8 Dublin 0-10

  • Thompson did superbly to set up an easy finish for the goal. Donegal are rampant. McFadden fists a point.

    Donegal 2-9 Dublin 0-10

  • Alan Brogan makes it third time lucky in the half with a point. Kevin McManamon on for Costello.

    Donegal 2-9 Dublin 0-11

  • Bernard Brogan fine long range point. Donegal 2-9 Dublin 0-12

  • Cluxton sees a 49-metre free drop short.

    Paddy McBreaty for McLoone

  • Dubs casual in possession again. Punished by Frank McGlynn. Point.

    Donegal 2-10 Dublin 0-12

  • Bernard Brogan with a poor wide from a free. Sloppy
  • O'Gara a mile wide. Amazed that he's still on the pitch. Ball hasn't broken for him today.

  • GOAL: McFadden. Donegal walked that one in. Brilliant stuff.

    Donegal 3-10 Dublin 0-12

  • Kavanagh collapses. That's three very soft frees he's got today. McFadden, great composure for the goal to step around Cluxton but the Dublin defence marked absent.
  • Dean Rock for O'Gara. McFadden taps over the free. Donegal 3-11 Dublin 0-12

  • Donegal winning most of the personal duels. Emphatically.

    Connolly, such a class footballer. Great point. Donegal 3-11 Dublin 0-13

  • Dubs are panicking.
  • Bernard Brogan with a free. Donegal 3-11 Dublin 0-14
  • Donegal six points ahead with 19 minutes left.
  • Donegal haven't a little break here mentally and physically.
  • Dublin still not clinical enough in possession. With that Cooper loses possession.

  • Dubs move the ball 70 metres and then Cooper dithers and loses possession.

    Paddy Andrews on for Alan Brogan

  • Ryan McHugh denied a third goal by a super save from Cluxton but it goes over for a point. Donegal 3-12 Dublin 0-14
  • Paddy Andrews point. Donegal 3-12 Dublin 0-15
  • Jimmy's winning matches again. Donegal's to lose.
  • Dublin defence is all over the place.

  • Great run from Paul Flynn. If he could have got the pass away Paddy Andrews was unmarked in front of goal.

    Connolly point free. Donegal 3-12 Dublin 0-16

  • The gap is down to five with 13 minutes left but the Dubs will have to get three or four scores in a row if they're to claw their way back. Momentum vital over the next five minutes.

    BLACK CARD: Neil McGee

  • Macauley dies with possession on the end line. Wide.
  • Declan Walsh on for McGee.
  • C cooper Donegal v Kerry . Cracker

  • Donegal just taking sting out of game with possession football. Keep it and invite Dublin to chase it. McBrearty with a super point.

    Donegal 3-13 Dublin 0-16

  • James McCarthy fouls the ball by picking it up.
  • Martin McElhinney for Kavanagh
  • 10 minutes to go. Donegal six up.
  • YELLOW CARD: Murphy
  • Darren Daly on for Cooper
  • Should have been Donegal line ball but McManamon's miss was justice.

  • McBrearty point. This game is over now, bar the shouting.

    Donegal 3-14 Dublin 0-16

  • Darach O'Connor for McFadden
  • Bernard Brogan misses a dolly. That's 11 wides for the Dubs.
  • The champions' reign is over.
  • Macauley with a shocking miss. Wow.
  • Dublin chasing goal against a massed defence. Connolly the latest player to kick the ball wide from nowhere. 13 wides. Nine wides to one in the second half.
  • Just a question of the final scoreline.
  • Andrews point. Donegal 3-14 Dublin 0-17
  • Strange that Gavin is now only bringing in Paul Mannion with 90 seconds left.
  • What odds on Donegal winning the minors and seniors today. Great day for the county.
  • McManamon wide. Hard to blame him. Dubs chasing goals.
  • Two additional minutes. Donegal fans taunting Hill 16
  • It's over. Donegal worthy winners on the day.
  • Donegal the 2012 champions will face Kerry in the All Ireland Final
  • Full-time: Donegal 3-14 Dublin 0-17

  • Daragh Moloney and Martin Carney going way over the top on commentary. Donegal worthy winners but you'd swear they'd discovered how to split the atom rather than win  a match.


    Dublin started well but it was a largely off colour performance particularly in the second half. A lot of that was down to Donegal but not all.

  • Donegal manager Jim McGuinness will get the plaudits and he deserves many but credit to his team. They produced a mighty afternoon's football.
  • So it's Donegal v Kerry in both the Minor and Senior Football finals.
  • Donegal manager Jim Guinness: "Yeah we are delighted. In fairness to the lads they executed it (gameplan) to the latter of the law. We spoke about honesty going into the game and at half-time.  One thing you can't fault is the character of these lads. Our preparations and focus was very good going into game. I'm just priveleged to be working with them."  

  • All Ireland winners.


    2011: Dublin


    2012: Donegal


    2013: Dublin


    2014: Donegal or Kerry?

  • Right it's time to stick 'Jimmy's winning matches' on an endless loop until late September. It's Donegal against Kerry in three weeks time. Thanks for your company this afternoon. It's been a brilliant weekend of football.