Donegal 3-8

Meath 0-7

Goals from Odhran McFadden-Ferry, Michael Murphy and Michael Langan helped Donegal to an emphatic victory over Meath in Navan.

The Ulster champions, who had to settle for a draw with Mayo in the first round, showed their quality with a dominant display which leaves the Royals staring at a quick return to Division 2 after being well beaten in the first two rounds.

With the elements behind them in the opening half, Andy McEntee's charges looked capable of making amends for last Sunday's defeat to Tyrone when they raced into an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead thanks to scores from Thomas O'Reilly, corner back David Toner, Cillian O'Sullivan and Bryan McMahon. 

The home supporters at Pairc Tailteann were given further reason to cheer when Marcus Brennan, who was a late replacement for Dominic Yorke between the posts, saved a penalty from Michael Murphy in the 16th minute. But remarkably, Meath could only add three more points over the remaining 40 minutes as the visitors stamped their authority on proceedings.

McFadden-McFerry's 28th minute goal gave them the lead for the first time before Murphy made no mistake from his second penalty in the 33rd minute after Conor McGill was sent the sin bin for taking down Jamie Brennan, who also won the first penalty.

That gave Donegal a 2-2 to 0-4 lead at the break and they effectively put the result beyond doubt four minutes after the restart when the raiding Ryan McHugh teed up for Langan for a palmed goal.

It was a stroll for Declan Bonner's men after that as further points from the impressive Brennan, Hugh McFadden, Langan, sub Niall O'Donnell and the irrepressible Murphy eased them to a 10-point victory.

Donegal - S Patton; E Ban Gallagher, N McGee, O McFadden Ferry (1-0); C Ward, C O'Donnell, E McHugh; H McFadden (0-1), M Langan (1-1); P Brennan, R McHugh, C Thompson (0-1f); P Mogan, M Murphy (1-2, 1-0pen, 0-2f), J Brennan (0-2). Subs: A McClean for E McHugh, N O'Donnell (0-1) for P Mogan, B McCole for O McFadden Ferry, J McKelvey for H McFadden, C Diver for P Brennan.

Meath - M Brennan; R Clarke, C McGill, D Toner (0-1); J McEntee, B Conlon, D Keogan; B Menton, R Jones; M Costello, B McMahon (0-1f), E Wallace; C O'Sullivan (0-2f), T O'Reilly (0-3), J Wallace. Subs: B Brennan for M Costello, E Devine for E Wallace, R Ryan for B Conlon, S Tobin for J Wallace, J Conlon for B McMahon.

Referee - C Lane.

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