Donegal hammer Clare to secure top spot and week off

Donegal clinched top spot in their group with a comprehensive win over Clare - the third round game was something of a walk in the park for Donegal as Clare put up very poor opposition.

Donegal were relying on Tyrone to defeat Cork in the other tie in the group and the Red Hands did Donegal a big favour.

Donegal were well on their way to victory early in the first half. While Clare had the opening point from an Emmet McMahon free, they failed to raise another flag in the opening half, hitting three wide and three more into Shaun Patton's hands.

Donegal were up and running on five minutes when Shane O'Donnell did the spadework and Oisin Gallen found Ryan McHugh to fire to the Clare net.

They almost had a second goal two minutes later when Ciaran Thompson cut through.

After that it was a pointfest for the winners with some wonderful scores from Michael Langan, Peadar Mogan, Patrick McBrearty (3), Mark Curran, Oisin Gallen (2, one '45'), Ryan McHugh (2) and Ciaran Thompson.

Their half-time lead of 1-11 to 0-1 did not flatter them.

If Clare had any hopes of a miracle comeback it was put to bed inside five minutes of the restart as Oisin Gallen slid home a second Donegal goal.

From that moment to the finish most of the attention of Donegal supporters was on what was happening in Tullamore.

The news that Tyrone had taken the lead was greeted by a big cheer.

Donegal were able to bring in a range of substitutes with Conor O'Donnell marking his return with two points while man of the match Ryan McHugh chipped in with two more points.

Donegal now have two weeks to prepare for their All-Ireland quarter-final.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran (0-01), Brendan McCole, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Ryan McHugh (1-04), Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan