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Donegal's Michael Murphy holds possession despite the challenge by Dublin's Paul Flynn. INPHO/Presseye
Going Down

Mannion hits late point for Dublin that relegates Donegal to Division 2

The reigning All-Ireland champions are set for life in the second tier next season.

Donegal 1-10
Dublin 0-13

PAUL Mannion converted an injury-time free to rescue a draw for Dublin this afternoon in Ballybofey and in the process relegate Donegal to Division 2 for next season.

Jim McGuinness’s side were left reeling as Dublin fought back through injury-time points from Jack McCaffrey and Mannion to ensure a share of the spoils.

With Kerry triumphing in Omagh and Mayo victorious in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the results meant Donegal must now face the prospect of life in the second tier in 2014.

It was a dramatic end to a game that started late due to crowd congestion and also featured the unusual sight of referee Padraig Hughes having to be stretchered off with an injury as Sligo whistler Michael Duffy took the reins.

Donegal had lead 1-6 to 0-6 at the interval, boosted by a 9th minute goal by Colm McFadden as he raised the only green flag of the game.

Dublin kept in touch, largely due to the attacking play of Paddy Andrews as he bagged a trio of points in the opening period.

The home side kept their opponents at bay in the early stages of the second-half and a Patrick McBrearty free sent them in front by 1-8 to 0-7 by the 49th minute.

But they only added two more points in the finale as Dublin kept battling on and seized the opportunity to get something out of their trip to the North-West.

A late Michael Murphy free put Donegal ahead 1-10 to 0-11 yet that failed to prove the insurance score as McCaffrey and Mannion popped over significant points.

Donegal must now pick themselves up ahead of their crunch Ulster championship showdown with Tyrone on May 26th while Dublin have a Division 1 league semi-final meeting with Mayo next week to look forward to.

Scorers for Dublin: Paul Mannion 0-6 (0-6f), Paddy Andrews 0-3, Cian O’Sullivan, Diarmuid Connolly (0-1f), Stephen Cluxton (0-1 ‘45), Jack McCaffrey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Donegal: Colm McFadden 1-2 (0-2f), Michael Murphy 0-4 (0-4f), Patrick McBrearty 0-2 (0-1f), Mark McHugh, Rory Kavanagh 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: Stephen Cluxton; Kevin O’Brien, Phil McMahon, Darren Daly; Jack McCaffrey, Ger Brennan, Johnny Cooper; Michael Dara Macauley, Cian O’Sullivan; Paul Flynn, Tomas Brady, Diarmuid Connolly; Kevin McManamon, Paddy Andrews, Paul Mannion.

Subs: Brian Cullen for Flynn (half-time), Jason Whelan for Brady (half-time), Denis Bastick for MacAuley (55), Dean Rock for Connolly (57), Michael Fitzsimons for Brennan (62).

DONEGAL: Paul Durcan; Eamonn Doherty, Eamonn McGee, Frank McGlynn; Luke Keaney, Leo McLoone, Anthony Thompson; Rory Kavanagh, Ryan Bradley; Mark McHugh, Ross Wherity, Martin McElhinney; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden.

Subs: Odhran MacNiallais for McFadden, Martin O’Reilly for McElhinney, Daniel McLaughlin for MacNiallais.

Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)

O’Connor the scoring hero as Mayo reach Division 1 semi-finals

Limerick and Offaly claim promotion from Division 4

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