Donegal 1-13 Kildare 1-11:There is always the possibility of implosion with Donegal footballers and that would go a long way to explaining the cautiousness of their manager, Brian McIver, in the wake of this occasionally impressive dismissal of Kildare.
The form that has delivered the scalps of Kerry, Dublin, and Tyrone this spring was evident again yesterday as Donegal built what appeared an unassailable seven-point lead entering the last quarter. Dublin, in particular, can attest to the fickleness of such a margin when the temperature is raised at this sporting amphitheatre.
Donegal, however, did enough to survive with late scores from the inspirational Colm McFadden, whose back-to-goal left-foot shooting was sublime, and Michael Hegarty that forced Kildare into goal chasing to force extra time.
Kildare's overreliance on the scoring prowess of John Doyle appears to be their fatal flaw. Doyle kicked 1-6 but it was his miscuing of two kickable frees, especially in the second of the three minutes added on, that denied them what would have been an undeserved draw anyway.
"We definitely should have killed the game," admitted McIver afterwards. "The penalty let them back into it and with a man down we were faced with an uphill struggle near the end."
Ah yes, the penalty and sending off of Kevin Cassidy certainly kept matters interesting.
With 15 minutes remaining Kildare's energetic running game finally began to punch holes in the Donegal defensive cadre; full of Ulster physicality and constantly swarming to isolate the ball carrier.
Barry Monaghan was one of five Donegal players yellow-carded, after dragging down Padraig O'Neill. Clare referee Rory Hickey had little option but to spread his arms. Doyle rolled the penalty into the left corner to make it a two-point game.
Moments later, Kildare centre back Mark Hogarty had the good sense to check and offload to Doyle, who duly made it a one-point deficit.
The rhythm of this meeting of styles seemed to have irreversibly changed tack. Donegal began to leave the shoulder in every challenge. No-nonsense full-back Paddy Campbell also saw yellow for coming through Jason Philips. This allowed Doyle post his last score of the day.
The Ulstermen's physical superiority allowed them regain control of possession but not before Cassidy was put to the line for catching the linesman's eye after charging Kevin O'Neill some time after play had moved on.
It should have been his first yellow as he admirably bailed out the already cautioned Brian Roper in the first half. Roper was booked early but seemed determined to test Hickey's patience by twice ensuring frees were moved forward after backchat. Doyle clipped both over the bar. McIver pulled him, before Hickey could dismiss him, to give Adrian Sweeney a run.
There is a pressure group in Donegal constantly campaigning for Sweeney's inclusion from the start. McIver clearly disagrees.
Both sides could claim ammunition when he immediately registered a long-range point. His contribution here, mostly smart passing from deep, was significant. The Sweeney conundrum is a fine example of what makes Donegal genuine All-Ireland contenders this year. Despite the absence of Rory Kavanagh and early departure of Brendan Devenney, to a knee injury, they had at least four scoring options on the pitch at all times.
Mayo provide opposition with equal footballing talent in next Sunday's league final: one more examination before the ferocity of the Ulster champions, Armagh, comes crashing down upon them.
It's also another chance to pick up injuries but considering the dream season thus far, McIver was never going to complain.
"We're in Croke Park. It was a good crowd. It was a lovely day. It was played at a great pace. If someone had given us that back in January when we were playing the McKenna Cup I assure you we would have taken it. It's nice to come here and win."
Nice to come here and win in April. September isn't a bad month either.
DONEGAL: P Durcan; N McGee, P Campbell, K Lacey; P McConigley (0-1), B Monaghan, B Dunnion; N Gallagher, K Cassidy (0-1); C Bonner, B Roper (0-1), C Toye; C McFadden (0-6, two frees), B Devenney, M Hegarty (0-3). Substitutes: K McMenamin (1-0) for B Devenney (20 mins), E McGee for P McConigley (half-time), A Sweeney (0-1) for B Roper (40 mins), F McGlynn for N McGee (48 mins), T Donoghue for B Monaghan (57 mins).
KILDARE: E Murphy; E O'Callaghan, D Lyons, A Mac Lochlainn; A Rainbow, M Hogarty, E Bolton; K Brennan, K O'Neill; J Kavanagh, J Doyle (1-6, four frees, goal pen), K Donnelly; T Fennin (0-2, one free), J Philips, P O'Neill (0-2). Substitutes: T O'Connor for K Brennan (6 mins), M Conway (0-1) for K Donnelly (49 mins), M Donnelly for K O'Neill, W Heffernan for T Fennin (both 64 mins).
Referee: R Hickey (Clare).
