DONEGAL came from three points down to win by two before a massive 11,000 crowd on a lovely sunny day at Mac Cumhaill Park.
A well-worked goal from Leo McLoone and some super scores from captain Michael Murphy and Patrick McBrearty proved the difference in this 1-14 (17) to 1-12(15) victory.
Mayo had led by a single point at the break – 0-08 to 0-07.
Rory Gallagher would have been happy to see five players on the score sheet in that first half, Murphy hitting three of them from frees.
Donegal levelled after the re-start through Patrick McBrearty before Odhran MacNiallais took Donegal ahead.
But Mayo came storming back as Diarmaid O’Connor netted from a penalty. Connor Loftus then pointed to give Mayo a 1-10 to 0-10 lead.
This Donegal side however is made of sterner stuff and the next three scores all went the home side’s way.
Murphy and McBrearty hit points from frees before Leo McLoone netted from play – and the scoreline was turned on its head and Donegal kept that two-point lead to the end 1-14 (17) to 1-12 (15) …..Murphy and McBrearty getting the important scores to keep Mayo out.
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