Red cards prove Roscommon's downfall

Donegal 3-11 Roscommon 1-09

Roscommon gave it their all, but two sending-offs and the concession of three goals left them with a mountain to climb against Donegal at Ballybofey today.

They were 1/14 favourites to win, and Donegal did so - but they did not have the degree of comfort predicted.

Goals from Michael Murphy (3 minutes) and debutant Stephen Griffin (7) had Donegal leading by 2-03 to 1-04 at half-time, with Roscommon's Karol Mannion netting a penalty.

The dismissals of Cathal Cregg and Johnny Dunning hampered the visitors and a Murphy penalty confirmed Donegal's progress.