Solid Donegal ease past Westmeath

Neil McGee (right) tries to hold off Westmeath's Martin Flanagan

Donegal showed signs of getting back to their best form as they claimed a 1-13 to 1-8 win over Westmeath in Saturday's All-Ireland Football qualifier.

Michael Murphy's early Donegal penalty was saved by Gary Connaughton but Brian McIver's side were good value for their 0-9 to 0-6 half-time Mullingar lead.

Brendan Devenney's 51st-minute goal extended Donegal's lead to 1-11 to 0-7.

Ciaran Bonner was sent off for two yellow cards late on while Martin Flanagan notched a late Westmeath goal.

Donegal forced the penalty in the opening minute but youngster Murphy's shot was well saved by Westmeath goalkeeper Connaughton.

However, Murphy maintained his composure to fire over Donegal's first point and he went on to have a fine game for Brian McIver's side.

Westmeath led 0-3 to 0-2 but Devenney grabbed the first score of his 1-4 tally to level proceedings.

Connaughton produced another good save to push away a Kevin McMenamin goal attempt although Michael Murphy picked up the rebound and pointed.

With the excellent Kevin Cassidy and Neil Gallagher giving Donegal an increasing edge at midfield, the north west county hit four unanswered scores to lead 0-8 to 0-4 although Westmeath trimmed the advantage to 0-9 to 0-6 at the interval.

Westmeath's Denis Glennon notched the first score of the second half but Donegal reasserted control with McMenamin and Devenney both pointing frees.

Connaughton kept Westmeath in with a glimmer of a hope when he saved Devenney's close-range goal attempt but the contest was over moments later when the St Eunan's man blasted to the net after a brilliant direct run by Rory Kavanagh.

Two more points by the lively Kavanagh had Donegal coasting at 1-13 to 0-7 although the visitors were then reduced to 14 players when Ciaran Bonner was sent off after getting a harsh second yellow card.

Westmeath won a soft penalty after a tackle on Gary Dolan but the same player blasted the kick wide.

Martin Flanagan did grab a goal in injury time but the five-point margin was flattering to the home side.

---

Donegal: P Durcan; N McGee, P Campbell, K Lacey; F McGlynn, B Monaghan, N McCready; N Gallagher, K Cassidy; R Bradley, C Bonner, R Kavanagh; K McMenamin, M Murphy, B Devenney.

Westmeath: G Connaughton; F Boyle, D O'Donoghue, J Keane; D Healy, M Ennis, G Glennon; D Duffy, M Flanagan; F Wilson, J Smyth, D Glennon; A Mangan, G Dolan, D Dolan.

---

Saturday's fixtures/results

Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Football Qualifiers
Derry 2-13 1-6 Mayo
Westmeath 1-8 1-13 Donegal
Kildare 1-10 1-16 Louth
Meath 0-11 0-9 Fermanagh

Tommy Murphy Cup semi-finals
Clare 0-10 1-11 Antrim
Wicklow 2-15 0-14 Waterford

Guinness Liam McCarthy Cup qualifiers
Galway 2-31 1-9 Antrim
Laois 1-11 2-14 Clare
Offaly 2-25 2-13 Dublin
Tipperary 2-16 1-18 Cork

Christy Ring Cup
Westmeath 1-14 1-11 Kerry
Down 2-12 1-21 Meath
London 3-10 2-16 Carlow
Derry 3-20 3-12 Wicklow

Nicky Rackard Cup quarter-finals
Roscommon 4-20 1-8 Monaghan
Louth 4-25 1-3 Warwickshire
Armagh 2-19 1-9 Tyrone
Donegal 2-14 2-8 Longford

Sunday's fixtures

ESB Ulster Minor Football Final
Tyrone v Derry (Casement Park, 1220)

Bank of Ireland Ulster Senior Football Final
Tyrone v Monaghan (Clones, 1415)

Leinster Senior Football Final
Dublin v Laois (Croke Park, 1615)