Donegal hammer Kerry to land Division One title

Donegal claimed their second-ever National Football League Division One title with a 3-20 to 2-10 hammering of Kerry at Croke Park. Three goals in a devastating two-minute spell in the second half from Conor O'Donnell, Michael Murphy and Caolan McGonagle put Jim McGuinness' men in a dominant position. Donegal also registered four two-pointers which helped the side take some semblance of revenge for last year's All-Ireland final defeat.

The convincing win is Donegal's first top tier league title since 2007 and only their second-ever. Donegal put wrongs right As the GAA celebrated 100 years of National Football League finals, it was fitting that the occasion was marked by a repeat of the previous year's All-Ireland final for the first time in a decade. Donegal opted for 10 players that started last July, while the Kingdom started with nine of those who secured the Sam Maguire for a 39th time.

The main area of scrutiny after last year's decider was the role of Paudie Clifford, and how Jim McGuinness would deal with the man who went untagged and held the key to their demise. Clifford's unavailability due to a managed return from injury means the answer to that question will remain a mystery until a likely meeting later in the summer. Brother, David, didn't make the trip to Ballyshannon for the Donegal's league phase win, but did start this final as many expected him to renew acquaintances with Brendan McCole, he was instead tagged by Caolan McColgan in a curve-ball from McGuinness.

Goals win games Michael Langan and Shane O'Donnell raise the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Cup [Getty Images] The lack of intensity on the pitch was reflected by almost audible hushed whispers from the crowd of 35,701 in the stand, with the game level at one point apiece after 13 minutes. Kerry could have stuck gold from the opening play, Clifford's two-point effort dropped short, but Graham O'Sullivan's effort was blocked superbly on the line by a diving Peadar Mogan. Michael Langan fired over a two-pointer but, from the very next attack, Joe O'Connor found Keith Evans in space in front of the Hogan Stand, Evans burst through and fired to the top right-hand corner of the net.