Dublin 2-15
Donegal 2-11
Dublin have given themselves a chance of Division 1 survival going into the final day after overcoming Donegal by four points in Croke Park.
Dessie Farrell’s side racked up back-to-back victories but remain bottom of the table going into next Sunday’s showdown with Monaghan in Clones.
The loser of that clash will finish bottom and drop to Division 2, but Dublin would also need to hope one of Kildare, Donegal or Tyrone drop points to avoid the trapdoor.
Dean Rock was the hero with a haul of 1-5, including three frees and a goal from the penalty spot, while Brian Howard and Cormac Costello notched three points apiece.
Niall Scully hit the net in the first half with a well-taken finish as an improving Dublin side came from behind to lead by three points, 1-8 to 1-5, at the break.
Donegal managed to stay in touch throughout thanks to a virtuoso performance from Paddy McBrearty, who finished on 1-7, but Dublin’s superiority told in the end.
James McCarthy made his first start of the season, after appearing off the bench during last week’s win in Tyrone, in a welcome boost for the under-pressure Farrell.
The All-Ireland champions’ narrow win over Mayo, and Kildare seeing off Monaghan this afternoon, made this a must-win game for Dublin.
And they showed some signs they are beginning to click with a performance that, while not perfect, showed consistency over 70 minutes.
Dublin have been too often beaten out the gate this season and there was a danger of that happening again as Donegal ran up an early five-point lead.
After the sides exchanged early points, McBrearty netted the game’s first goal on 11 minutes as McBrearty caught out Michael Shiel.
Shiel was a late replacement for regular keeper Evan Comerford and he saw the ball loop over his head and in off the post after McBrearty sat down Michael Fitzsimons.
That put Donegal 1-2 to 0-2 to the good, and a Michael Murphy free and McBrearty clip increased their lead to five points, but the rest of the half belonged to Dublin.
Scully found the net as he capped off a silky move started by Ciaran Kilkenny, and Howard scored twice as Dublin ended the half with five unanswered points.
Costello and Howard added two more points early in the second half as Dublin stretched their lead to five points.
But Donegal stormed back into it as Murphy, on his return to the team, batted home their second goal following a beautiful foot pass from Ryan McHugh.
That made it a two-point game and, though Seán Bugler and Rock pointed for Dublin, McBrearty kept Donegal in touch with a pair of his own.
Rock made sure of the win late on, however, as he hammered home a penalty after Jeaic McKelvey had taken down Fitzsimons.
Donegal’s fate remains in their own hands as they host Armagh, who will need Mayo to slip up against Kildare to make the final, while Dublin go to Monaghan.
Dublin: Michael Shiel; Cian Murphy, David Byrne, Michael Fitzsimons; Jonny Cooper, Robbie McDaid, James McCarthy; Brian Fenton (0-2), Tom Lahiff (0-1); Brian Howard (0-3), Sean Bugler (0-1), Niall Scully (1-0); Ciaran Kilkenny, Cormac Costello (0-3), Dean Rock (1-5, 0-3f, 1-0 pen).
Subs: Eoin Murchan for Cooper (52), Lee Gannon for Scully (64), Brian O'Leary for Costello (67), Alex Wright for Kilkenny (71), Cillian O'Shea for McCarthy (72).
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Stephen McMenamin, Caolan Ward, Brendan McCole; Ryan McHugh (0-1), Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Odhran McFadden Ferry; Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee; Peadar Mogan, Michael Murphy (1-1, 0-1f), Aaron Doherty (0-1); Patrick McBrearty (1-6, 0-1f), Conor O'Donnell (0-2), Jamie Brennan.
Subs: Shane O'Donnell for Brennan (50), Ethan O'Donnell for Doherty (56), Jeaic McKelvey for McHugh (60), Paul Brennan for McFadden (62), Neil McGee for McMenamin (69).
Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath).
