Down Ratings
Niall Kane
Caught early as Jason McGee scored a goal inside three minutes for Donegal, but redeemed himself with a good save from Conor O’Donnell later in the first half. Kickouts were excellent bar one brief purple patch from McGee and Langan in the second half. 7
Pierce Laverty
The Down captain was given the task of marking Jamie Brennan and he kept the Donegal full-forward scoreless, which is no mean feat. 8
Anthony Doherty
Endured a tough start to the game after a breakdown in communication with McParland saw McGee get in for that early Donegal goal. Seemed more at home when operating at midfield. 6.5
Shane Annett
A late call up to replace Conor Fitzpatrick, the Mayobridge native acquitted himself well and had a hand in the move which led to Down’s second half penalty. 6.5
Danny Magill
A Championship debut to remember. Danny Magill’s brilliant runs from deep helped create the vital scores for Down during the second half. Landed a stunning point from play himself. 8.5
Niall McParland
Recovered well after Donegal’s early goal. Played the majority of the game as a sweeper and Donegal got very little joy when they tried to run through the middle. 7
Miceal Rooney
Got on a lot of possession, especially in the first half, but was guilty of a few handling errors and poor passes. Improved in the second half as Down took the fight to Donegal. 6.5
Daniel Guinness - Star man
Thrown in for his first start of 2023, Daniel Guinness didn’t just look up to speed but he was one of the busiest players on the pitch.
Landed two excellent points from play and was only denied a goal by a smart save from Patton. When the game was in the melting pot, Guinness delivered with some clever passes and brilliant runs from deep. 9
Ryan McEvoy
A defensive restructure saw Ryan McEvoy moved from his usual full-back role, but the Kilcoo star didn’t look out of place at midfield. Lost Jason McGee for the early goal, but endured Down won their fair share of breaks around the middle third. 6.5
Ceilum Doherty
Has been a key player for Kilcoo in recent years and has brought that form to the county set-up. Has pace and intelligence to cause defences serious problems and Donegal struggled to get to grips with him on Sunday. 8.5
Ryan Johnston
Scored 0-3 and was fouled for the second half penalty which Pat Havern tucked away. Johnston was one of the best players of the pitch on Sunday and was a threat until taken off 10 minutes from time. 8.5
Liam Kerr
Superb pick-up before drilling the ball past Shaun Patton to kickstart Down’s challenge in the first half. Gave Caolan McColgan a tough time before Donegal moved Caolan Ward on to man-marking duties. 7
Donagh McAleenan
Named at corner-forward, but spent very little time in the full-forward line. The Warrenpoint clubman dropped back deep and helped the Down defence keep a clean sheet in the second half. 6.5
Pat Havern
Scored 1-3, three from free with his goal coming via a second half penalty. Was off target with a couple of efforts in the second half, but got the better of Brendan McCole. 7.5
Eugene Branagan
Chipped in with a classy point from play at a time when Down stole a march on Donegal before being replaced midway through the second half. 6.5
Subs
Conor Francis: Introduced for Shane Annett for the final 20 minutes. The Bredagh native worked hard as Down closed the game out. 6.5
Andrew Gilmore: Will be hoping to force his way back into the starting 15 and helped his case by scoring two points when introduced for Branagan. 6.5
Shealan Johnston: Introduced for his brother Ryan for the final 10 minutes and had one shot blocked down. 5.5
Conor Poland: Fisted over a late point as Down closed the game out in style. 5.5
Gerard Collins: Not on long enough to be rated
Donegal ratings
Shaun Patton
A mixed afternoon for the Donegal ’keeper. Didn’t get near Kerr’s goal or Havern’s penalty. Kickouts were generally very good and he converted one 45, but also missed one and hit the post with a long-range free. 6
Mark Curran
Picked up Eugene Branagan and broke even in that duel and was one of Donegal’s better players on a difficult afternoon. 6.5
Brendan McCole
Gave away the penalty with a rash tackle on Ryan Johnston and struggled with the pace and power of Pat Havern. 5.5
Caolan Ward
Scored a point in the first half and was composed when in possession. Picked up Liam Kerr late on after a spell on Eugene Branagan and did well on both. 7
Caolan McColgan
Was caught for pace when Liam Kerr eased past him for Down’s first half goal. Also had a goal chance of his own blocked down by Danny Magill. 5.5
Stephen McMenamin
Doesn’t look like a natural fit at centre back. Was lost on far too many occasions in the second half when Down ran direct at the Donegal defence and was replaced late on. 5
Eoghan Ban Gallagher
Captained Donegal in the absence of Paddy McBrearty, but looked some way short of his best form. Played as a sweeper, but couldn’t get his colleagues organised when Down were on top. 5.5
Caolan McGonagle
A solid display from McGonagle. Down switched several players to midfield at various times during the game, but Donegal were able to break even. 6.5
Jason McGee
Took his goal brilliantly in the opening minutes of Sunday game, yet could have plundered another few. Unlucky that a one of his late fisted efforts didn’t find the target. 7.5
Daire Ó Baoill
Was Donegal’s best attacking threat on a day when they were too wasteful in front of the posts. Landed three well-taken points from play. 8
Michael Langan
A late call-up to the team, Langan’s afternoon ended after just 15 minutes when he picked up a hamstring injury. 6
Ciaran Thompson
Converted two frees under pressure, but also missed two. Worked hard around the middle third and won a couple of kick-outs. 7
Hugh McFadden
Seemed to be caught in two minds too often yesterday and ended up having no real impact on the game. When he played at full-forward during the League, he was excellent. 5
Jamie Brennan
Donegal really needed a big game from Jamie Brennan on Sunday, especially when Langan went off injured. Tried hard, but kicked a couple of wides. 6
Conor O’Donnell
Struggled to get involved in the game in the first half until he had a shot on goal saved by Niall Kane. Improved in the second half and scored two points from play. 7
Subs
Luke McGlynn: Was called for after just 15 minutes when Langan went down with a hamstring injury. Worked hard without having a huge impact. 6
Oisin Gallen: Was a late omission from the starting 15, Donegal badly missed his scoring threat. Scored a point when introduced midway through the second half. 6.5
Kieran Tobin: On for the final 20 minutes and pushed forward as Donegal tried to force a comeback, but they were undermined by a host of wides. 6
Rory O'Donnell: Not on long enough to be rated.
Kane Barrett: Not on long enough to be rated.
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