DONEGAL ARE ALL-Ireland SFC champions for only the second time.
The Ulster champions started strongly and maintained their lead throughout the 70 minutes to seal a 2-11 to 0-13 win over fellow finalists Mayo at a capacity Croke Park this afternoon.
The Tir Chonaill men got off to the perfect start and found themselves seven point ahead thanks to two quick-fire goals in the opening minutes.
Karl Kacey took off on an excellent run before kicking towards the full-forward position, where Michael Murphy showed his strength to hold off Kevin Keane and smash the ball beyond David Clarke.
After pointing from a free, Colm McFadden then found the back of the net on 12 minutes. Paddy McBrearty’s effort came back off the point and the St Michael’s clubman reacted first to pounce on the loose ball and make it 2-01 to 0-00.
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Mayo responded with scores from Kevin McLoughlin and Cillian O’Connor, whose free-taking was excellent on the day.
Despite the blow, Mayo regrouped and had closed the gap to just three points at half-time – when it stood at 2-04 to 0-07 to Donegal.
Donegal’s Rory Kavanagh and Alan Dillon of Mayo. Credit: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
The second half began with a couple of wides on both sides before McFadden and O’Connor were successful with frees and Frank McGlynn finished off a patient Mayo move.
Jim McGuinness introduced Martin McElhinney and Christy Toye but the Yew County men kept themselves in with a shout and with five minutes on the clock, there were five points between them.
Donegal looked to have sealed the win in the 67th miunute when a superb team move was ended by Neil Gallagher’s score.
However, Mayo had one final goal chance right at the end when Alan Freeman offloaded to Seamus O’Shea but the forward lost his footing at the final moment and the result was a free to Donegal.
“We got off to a fantastic start with Michael’s goal and then my own but Mayo came back at us,” Colm McFadden told RTE Radio 1 after the final whistle.
“They tackled ferociously in the midfield, battled hard but thankfully we could hold on. It’s still hard to believe now.
We’ve been sheltered from the buzz the past couple of weeks but can go back to Donegal now and enjoy it. I’m delighted for the people of Donegal.”
Mayo manager James Horan told RTE Sport after the game: “We gave seven points away at the start of the game and it’s very hard to come back from that
“We kept plugging away and got close but couldn’t go ahead. At the start of the second half, we played well but your first touch wasn’t good enough and some simple stuff cost us today.
“A lot of the ball wasn’t sticking and they were winning breaking ball. To win All-ireland final, our touch needs to be better.”
Donegal scorers: Michael Murphy 1-4 (0-3f), Colm McFadden 1-4 (0-3f), Neil Gallagher, Ryan Bradley, Frank McGlynn 0-1 each.
Mayo scorers: Cillian O’Connor 0-5 (0-5f), Enda Varley (0-1f), Kevin McLoughlin 0-2 each, Lee Keegan, Michael Conroy, Richie Feeney, Jason Gibbons 0-1 each.
DONEGAL:Paul Durcan (Four Masters); Paddy McGrath (Ardara), Neil McGee (Gweedore), Frank McGlynn (Glenfin); Eamonn McGee (Gweedore), Karl Lacey (Four Masters), Anthony Thompson (Naomh Conaill); Neil Gallagher (Glenswilly), Rory Kavanagh (St Eunan’s); Ryan Bradley (Buncrana), Leo McLoone (Naomh Conaill), Mark McHugh (Kilcar); Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar), Michael Murphy (Glenswilly), Colm McFadden (St Michael’s). Subs: David Walsh for Ryan Bradley (40 mins), Martin McElhinney for Paddy McBrearty (47 mins), Christy Toye for Leo McLoone (57 mins), Dermot Molloy for McElhinney.
MAYO: David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites); Kevin Keane (Westport), Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites), Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis); Lee Keegan (Westport), Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe), Colm Boyle (Davitts); Barry Moran (Castlebar Mitchels), Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy); Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore), Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber), Alan Dillon (Ballintubber); Michael Conroy (Davitts), Enda Varley (Garrymore), Jason Doherty (Burrishoole). Subs: Jason Gibbons for Michael Conroy (59 mins), Richie Feeney for Enda Varley (60 mins), Seamus O’Shea for Barry Moran.
Congrats Donegal, well done and well deserved. Heads up Mayo – ye are a young bunch of players with a great future. Remember you have to lose one to win one. A great match and a great advertisement for the game of gaelic
football – the colour and razzmatazz was brilliant. Enjoy it immensely!
Conor, people like you are the reason this country is slow to accept same sex marriage. Less of the pervy comments on every second story. You’re gay. Well done, but keep it quiet for a while!
Toughest run to All Ireland Final ever, starting early may in a primarily round to then have to beat Cork Kerry and Tyrone all in one championship year is really something to be admired. Can defiantly see why Celtic are interested Inbmc Guinness
John Drennan – Donegal’s accomplishment this year was an infinitely superior achievement than Dublin’s last year, in terms of the teams they beat. Tyrone were a side in terminal decline last year as was borne out In this year’s campaign. No comparison mate. PS I was cheering for Mayo today.
Jeez a lot of club 31ers on here.
So Tyrone were in terminal decline last year but not this year with the majority of the same team when Kerry (who were also in decline this year) beat them by ten points??
Fair play to Donegal but no comparison to last year? Ridiculous comment from another Dublin hater
John Drennan – take the blinkers off pal. If u think rationally about it u will find that u are the one making ridiculous comments. I am not a Dublin hater though I admit to not having any great fondness for them either.
I haven’t said anything ridiculous.
2 things are ridiculous though.
One is saying that winning an all Ireland this year is a greater achievement than any other year.
The other is saying you dislike “them” when you’re referring to over a million people most of whom you never met.
Pal…
John – it’s not my opinion that Donegal’s success this year far surpasses Dublin 2011 – it’s just a statement of fact. A sizeable proportion of the over a million residents of Dublin are from other counties/countries so wouldn’t be Dublin supporters anyway. The ‘fans’ I refer to are the boozed up louts who comprise a large % of Hill 16 on big match days. Finally – grow up and get a life.
Poor old Mayo, jinxed by Enda! Well Done Donegal, the thoughts of Mayo winning and Enda’s gloating. It would have sickened me more, stick your thumbs where the sun don’t shine Enda!
I’m pissed off we lost, another final squandered in croker…. congrats to Donegal, they have a good setup this year… we have a young side and will be back fighting to win next year… all is not lost, keep the heads up… mayo abu…
I didn’t see the match but well done Donegal, hard luck to Mayo… 2 great teams and I wouldn’t be able to pick between the 2 anyway!! I wanted both to win..
Thats twice on 2 different reports you got the score wrong on the top of the page! It was 2-11 to 0-13. End result the same but we did not lose by 8 points!!
Well done Donegal and Mayo you done good I think you didn’t settle and you were a bit rough on your tackels but all I’n all well done . You will get there one day.
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fair play for Mayos efforts they played well…
Mayo need to get a grip, not good enough at this stage, how many all Ireland finals is that and lost!
Donegal should enjoy it while it lasts. Cork or Kerry will be back next year and the normal powers will back at the top.
Ok Tom Fitzgerald – we get ur ”point”. No need to continue making it over and over again on these forums. BORING !!!
well done donegal.. well deserved.. mayo yous were a great team 2day but we were better..
Congrats Donegal, well done and well deserved. Heads up Mayo – ye are a young bunch of players with a great future. Remember you have to lose one to win one. A great match and a great advertisement for the game of gaelic
football – the colour and razzmatazz was brilliant. Enjoy it immensely!
I want to marry Jimmy McGuinness
Keep that to yourself Conor.
Warren, you get a grip. The road to the Final is a long hard road. They lost the match , sure, but your comment is offside
Conor, people like you are the reason this country is slow to accept same sex marriage. Less of the pervy comments on every second story. You’re gay. Well done, but keep it quiet for a while!
in a straight way I thought it was funny conor
Unlucky Mayo…ye didnt choke this time,just beaten by the better team.Ye’ve done everyone in Mayo proud.
Toughest run to All Ireland Final ever, starting early may in a primarily round to then have to beat Cork Kerry and Tyrone all in one championship year is really something to be admired. Can defiantly see why Celtic are interested Inbmc Guinness
Dublin beat Tyrone Kerry and yourselves (who were better than cork) last year. Was that not tougher? ;)
John Drennan – Donegal’s accomplishment this year was an infinitely superior achievement than Dublin’s last year, in terms of the teams they beat. Tyrone were a side in terminal decline last year as was borne out In this year’s campaign. No comparison mate. PS I was cheering for Mayo today.
Jeez a lot of club 31ers on here.
So Tyrone were in terminal decline last year but not this year with the majority of the same team when Kerry (who were also in decline this year) beat them by ten points??
Fair play to Donegal but no comparison to last year? Ridiculous comment from another Dublin hater
John Drennan – take the blinkers off pal. If u think rationally about it u will find that u are the one making ridiculous comments. I am not a Dublin hater though I admit to not having any great fondness for them either.
I haven’t said anything ridiculous.
2 things are ridiculous though.
One is saying that winning an all Ireland this year is a greater achievement than any other year.
The other is saying you dislike “them” when you’re referring to over a million people most of whom you never met.
Pal…
John – it’s not my opinion that Donegal’s success this year far surpasses Dublin 2011 – it’s just a statement of fact. A sizeable proportion of the over a million residents of Dublin are from other counties/countries so wouldn’t be Dublin supporters anyway. The ‘fans’ I refer to are the boozed up louts who comprise a large % of Hill 16 on big match days. Finally – grow up and get a life.
Poor old Mayo, jinxed by Enda! Well Done Donegal, the thoughts of Mayo winning and Enda’s gloating. It would have sickened me more, stick your thumbs where the sun don’t shine Enda!
All the thumbs, The mayo people must love to Thumb? Lol!
Poor mayo players devastated you played well but it was impossible task to make up for to early goals next year we will take the Sam back to mayo
Well done, well deserved.
Yay . Thrilled for Donegal !
I’m pissed off we lost, another final squandered in croker…. congrats to Donegal, they have a good setup this year… we have a young side and will be back fighting to win next year… all is not lost, keep the heads up… mayo abu…
Well done Donegal !!
The snake bite will be flowing tonight!!
I didn’t see the match but well done Donegal, hard luck to Mayo… 2 great teams and I wouldn’t be able to pick between the 2 anyway!! I wanted both to win..
Sound game they both got on with it not too much feckin around best team won,great for football…..
Great for football to see these two particular teams battle it out
I agree,they have reached final levels but thats where they seem to stop …
Congratulations Donegal, well deserved! Well done to the dublin minors as well.
A pointless sport!!
I think you will find most people think you are pointless
I think you’ll find that the final score was 2-11 to 0-13. There was lots of points in that game. you big troll
Very proud to be a Mayo woman today! Ya, we didn’t win but the lads never gave up and played their hearts out! Disappointed but they did us proud!
Thats twice on 2 different reports you got the score wrong on the top of the page! It was 2-11 to 0-13. End result the same but we did not lose by 8 points!!
Great game all the customers enjoyed it, and a few say they have Donegal grand parents but Mayo will be back.
Top class lads!! The hills will be alive tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done Donegal and Mayo you done good I think you didn’t settle and you were a bit rough on your tackels but all I’n all well done . You will get there one day.
A second rate sport for lads not talented enough to play real football..
Don’t feed the troll
second rate comment not talented enough to have a real opinion ….
Joey Wagga; a pointless idiot
Anyone can dive like a girl and act like a thug in general Joey,especially when your on the wages their on
West Brit much?
Donegal won the World Cup, in Gaelic football! That is some achievement, you have to admit!
Daniel O Donnell will be drinking galleons of tea after that win,
No profits for ur pub from Daniel then Richard ….