Embattled Donegal find form after break to defeat Clare

Donegal turned in a competent second-half showing to overcome Clare 0-14 to 0-09 in the first Group 4 game of the All-Ireland round-robin championship.

It might've been different following an awkward opening 35 minutes, when Shaun Patton made a vital save from Keelan Sexton, which would’ve put Clare six in front.

However, Donegal's quality started to shine through the longer the game went on with Ciaran Thompson and Oisin Gallen ending up with four points apiece.

Clare settled well, with Sexton twisting to score and Pearse Lillis punching over before adding a second for a 0-03 to 0-00 lead inside 10 minutes.

Donegal sat with 14 back initially and only Gallen up the field, although there was a lack of intensity in defence and too slow a build-up to attack.

Thompson opened the visitors’ account, although an Eoin Cleary free restored Clare’s three-point lead.

Almost half an hour was played when Gallen rounded off a Donegal move of genuine quality, moving the ball at speed in from the left. However, Clare hit back within seconds with Emmet McMahon kicking from distance.

Eoghan Bán Gallagher hit back with a point and then, three minutes before half-time, made an incisive run which cut through Clare from Jamie Brennan’s lay-off. Gallagher’s only sin was the fact he was probably too unselfish, giving off a pass to his right to the well-placed John Ross Molloy. The corner-back and championship debutant, right in front of goal, fumbled and the chance was gone.

Clare led 0-06 to 0-03 at the break, with the wide count level at six each.

Donegal needed a more commanding start to part two than they managed in part one. Gallen, firstly, and then Thompson delivered to give the few hardcore fans who made the trek down the west reason to raise