A great win for Donegal.
There were a number of good performers.
This is how the players rated.
Gavin Mulreany: There was a bit of a malfunction with Donegal’s kick-outs in the second half that will have to be worked on but Mulreany can still be happy with this display after making four super saves. 7.5
Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher: The Killybegs man had a niggle and didn’t play against Kerry but he was excellent in this match. He did well when carrying the ball out of defence under pressure and handled Diarmuid O’Connor with minimum fuss. 7.5
Brendan McCole: McCole showed why he is an All-Star defender with a brilliant display. Mayo tried to hit James Carr with early ball but he just couldn’t make it stick because of the pressure he was under. Aidan O’Shea then moved inside for a period but McCole had no trouble with the veteran attacker either. 8.5
Peadar Mogan: It was evident in the early minutes that Mayo were going to try and stop Peadar Mogan racing up the field as Darragh Beirne got very physical with the St Naul’s man. However, it didn’t work as Mogan was constantly a threat for Donegal and set up Conor O’Donnell’s goal. 8
Ryan McHugh: Ryan McHugh was restored to the starting line-up on Sunday and had a fine game. He protects possession so well and hit three scores including a sumptuous two-pointer when Donegal needed someone to step up. 7.5
Finnbarr Roarty: There were a couple of uncharacteristic handling errors but this was another good outing for Roarty who picked up the dangerous Ryan O’ Donoghue. Mayo’s main man wasn’t able to play his usual game and Roarty even outscored him. 7.5
Caolan McGonagle: The Buncrana man brought power and strength to the Donegal team once again. He fielded one dangerous ball brilliantly in his own 13 metre line in the first half, although he isn’t getting into advanced positions like he did in the past. 7
Hugh McFadden: McFadden wasn’t quite at the level that he was in during the first two matches but he did come into the game in the second half and did well for the throw-up which led to the goal. 7
Michael Langan: There were no scores for Langan on Sunday but his workrate and speed around the field was still impressive and he is so hard to stop when charging forward. 7.5
Shane O’Donnell: One kick-pass went astray in the first half but O’Donnell was his typical busy self on the pitch with some great lines of running and he got a vital point when Donegal had gone ten minutes without a score. 7.5
Jason McGee: McGee set the tone for Donegal with two turnovers inside the opening two minutes and he was arguably the best player on the field in the first half. The Falcarragh man probably drifted out of it in the second half and was replaced with ten minutes to go when the game was won. That was smart because keeping McGee healthy is central to the plans this year. 8
Ciaran Moore: Mayo wing-back Fenton Kelly will be sore this morning after a tough Sunday racing after the St Eunan’s speedster. Moore is brilliant at releasing pressure on his team and he helped himself to a point late on. 7.5
Conor McCahill: It was a big day for the Four Masters teenager and it didn’t start great as he was turned over. However, that didn’t knock his confidence as he scored the first two points and added a third in the second half while also having an involvement in the goal. He’s definitely a player to keep an eye on. 8
Conor O’Donnell: It’s hard to fathom that O’Donnell was dropped for the Ulster Final last year such is his importance to the team now. The Carn man was forceful and dynamic once again and scored 1-3 off one of the best markers in the game in Jack Coyne. 9
Oisin Gallen: The Sean MacCumhaills man was in for his first start of the year and he was a joy to watch. He was assertive when he had the ball and his shooting was brilliant. Gallen was another man taken off early and his minutes need to be managed as he is central to Donegal’s plans. 9
Michael Murphy: The Glenswilly man’s kicking wasn’t at his usual high level but he’s still getting up to speed after a long lay-off. Murphy played a part in Ciaran Moore’s point and showed real strength to win a kick-out at the end. 7
Turlough Carr: The young Four Masters man showed confidence when he came on and was able to elude the physical challenges. Unlucky not to score a two-pointer with a well-struck effort. 7
Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride: Not on long enough for assessment.
Shea Malone: Not on long enough for assessment.
Paul O’Hare: Not on long enough for assessment.
