Down 0-13 Donegal 0-11:DOWN PUT themselves in line for promotion and also set down a marker for the teams' championship meeting in May by recording a narrow victory in Ballybofey.
After a mediocre opening half, Donegal finished well to lead by 0-5 to 0-4. In the third quarter Down kicked on with Benny Coulter and John and Martin Clarke impressive as they went four points clear.
Donegal did get back on terms with minutes left, thanks to good work from Anthony Thompson and Colm McFadden but John Clarke struck for what proved to be the winner a minute from time and Peter Fitzpatrick added an insurance point in added time to seal the visitors’ deserved victory.
DONEGAL:P Durcan; S Boyle, N McGee, K Lacey; M Maguire (0-1), A Thompson (0-1), K Cassidy; B Monaghan, N Gallagher (0-2); D Walsh, C Dunne, E Kelly; C McFadden (0-4, one free), M Murphy (0-3, two frees), A Hanlon. Subs: G Concarr for Hanlon; L McLoone for Kelly (both 51 minutes), B Dunnion for Dunne (64 minutes).
DOWN:D Alder; D McCartan, B McArdle, D Rafferty; K McKernan (0-1), J Colgan, C Garvey; A Rodgers (0-1), K King; D Hughes (0-1), M Clarke (0-3, two frees), S Kearney; P McComiskey (0-1, free), J Clarke (0-2), B Coulter (0-3). Subs: P Fitzpatrick (0-1) for King (64 mins); C Laverty for McComiskey (66 mins).
Referee:P McEnaney (Monaghan).
