Donegal 2-19
Laois 1-9

Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden pulled the strings as Donegal walloped Laois by 13 points at O'Moore Park.

Producing what was arguably their most complete performance since the 2012 All-Ireland final, Jim McGuinness' men were far too good for the disappointing home side who went 26 minutes without scoring in the second half. It was just like old times as Murphy and McFadden scored 0-6 and 1-3 respectively to help the visitors to an emphatic win.

No fewer than 10 different players got on the scoresheet for a Donegal team who, on this evidence, are likely to make an instant return to Division 1.

Despite playing against the wind in the first half, the visitors were full value for their 1-6 to 0-5 interval lead. After Michael Murphy had opened the scoring from a free, Donie Kingston and Evan O'Carroll replied with points to give Tomas O Flatharta's men the lead for the only time. Indeed, if O'Carroll had shown a bit more composure, a goal could have resulted.

Laois were made pay for that miss when newcomer Odhran MacNiallais fisted to the net in the 12th minute after being set up by Anthony Thompson, and Dermot Molloy quickly added a point to give Donegal a 1-2 to 0-2 lead.

Murphy, Christy Toye and Thompson tagged on further points as the visitors tightened their grip on proceedings. Ross Munnelly raised a couple of white flags for the home side who would have been further behind at the break but for a brilliant save from Graham Brody to deny the raiding Frank McGlynn.

Within 30 seconds of the restart, McFadden had the ball in the net and Donegal were well on their way to collecting the two points. The O'Moore County had Denis Booth sent off for a high challenge on Mark McHugh before John O'Loughlin managed a consolation goal inside the last 10 minutes.

Donegal - P Durcan; K Lacy, N McGee, R McHugh; F McGlynn, L McLoone, A Thompson (0-1); R Kavanagh, M McElhinney (0-2); M McHugh (0-1), C Toye (0-1), O MacNiallais (1-1); C McFadden (1-3, 0-2f), M Murphy (0-6, 2'45, 2f), D Molloy (0-1). Subs: D Walsh for Lacy, P McBrearty (0-1) for Molloy, H McFadden (0-2) for Kavanagh, M O'Reilly for Toye, E Doherty for McGlynn, S McLaughlin for MacNiallais.

Laois - G Brody; D Booth, M Timmons, P O'Leary (0-1); D Strong, P McMahon, A Ryan; K Meaney, J O'Loughlin (1-1); J Finn, D Kingston (0-2f), B Sheehan; D Conway (0-1), E O'Carroll (0-1), R Munnelly (0-3, 2f). Subs: P Begley for Ryan, P Cahillane for Finn, R Kehoe for O'Carroll, S Attride for Sheehan, E Lowry for Attride.

Referee - C Lane. Tweet

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