It took a while, but Donegal eventually put their experience to use in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey, as they eased through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals with a 16-point win over Louth.
The Wee County put it up to Donegal in the opening half, but a second goal from Ciaran Thompson on 49 minutes put the home side on their way. Thompson, playing in his 50th championship game for the county, took a crossfield pass from Oisin Gallen to find the corner of the net.
The score put Donegal 2-11 to 0-09 ahead and from there the Louth challenge faded and the home side were able to keep the scoreboard ticking, finishing with 12 different scorers.
The large attendance of 15,369 were not give much to shout about in the opening half as both sides played it cagey.
Donegal were really lacklustre in what was a very poor spectacle in the opening half. Peadar Mogan, as happens often, opened the scoring and Donegal looked to be in control after 15 minutes, leading by 0-5 to 0-1, Conor O'Donnell, Oisin Gallen, Michael Murphy and Finnbarr Roarty adding to their total.
Paul Matthews had the lone Louth point. Craig Lennon added a second point while Donegal had a great goal opportunity which Oisin Gallen spurned.
The miss seemed to inspire Louth and especially Ryan Burns as he hit three points in as many minutes to tie up the game on 24 minutes.
Gallen and Dara McDonnell traded scores before Donegal got the goal they threatened. It came from a long kick-out by Shaun Patton which found Oisin Gallen and he sent Conor O’Donnell through to fire to the net.
Donegal did have possession as the hooter sounded but Louth turned them over and Ryan Burns hit the last score of the half to leave just two between them - Donegal 1-06 Louth 0-07.
Sam Mulroy opened the second half account for Louth with a free but they only managed one more score (Mulroy from play) until the 62nd minute and by that stage Donegal were able to substitute Michael Murphy, Ryan McHugh and Eoghan Bán Gallagher.
There will be tougher tests ahead for Donegal, who had 11 wides, while several shots dropped short.
Donegal: Oisin Gallen 0-5; Conor O’Donnell 1-2; Ciaran Thompson 1-0; Michael Langan 0-3, 1tp; Michael Murphy 0-3, 1tp 1f; Finnbarr Roarty, Daire Ó Baoill 0-2; Peadar Mogan, Shane O’Donnell, Niall O’Donnell, Caolan McColgan, Hugh McFadden 0-1
Louth: Ryan Burns 0-4; Sam Mulroy 0-3, 1f; Paul Matthews, Craig Lennon, Dara McDonnell, Peter Lynch, Ciaran Downey 0-1
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Caolan McColgan; Jason McGee, Michael Langan; Ciaran Moore, Ciarán Thompson, Shane O'Donnell; Conor O'Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisín Gallen. Subs: Hugh McFadden for McGee (half-time), Dare Ó Baoill for McHugh (49), Patrick McBrearty for Murphy (51); Niall O’Donnell and Odhrán McFadden Ferry for C O’Donnell and Gallagher (54)
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Daire Nally, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Emmet Carolan, Peter Craig, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Dara McDonnell; Conall McKeever, Ciaran Downey, Paul Matthews; Dan Corcoran, Sam Mulroy, Ryan Burns. Subs: Conor Grimes for Carolan (half-time), Seán Callaghan for Durnin (48), Ryan Walsh for Matthews (51), Kieran McArdle for Lennon (53), Ciaran Byrne for R Burns (56)
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)
