Adrian Sweeney scored four points in each half against Longford

Adrian Sweeney fired over eight points to help Donegal defeat Longford at Ballybofey on Saturday night.

Sweeney's accurate boot helped Donegal forget about their miserable defeat at the hands of Fermanagh in the Ulster Championship.

Manager Brian McEniff stung his side into action and an early goal by Stephen McDermott helped settle the nerves in an exciting All-Ireland qualifier.

McDermott fired in the opening goal after only four minutes of play and it was a catalyst for some exciting play.

After that, however, it was fairly nip and tuck throughout the first half as the lead changed hands on four occasions.

Longford's Liam Keenan and Donegal's in-form Adrian Sweeney kept the scoreboard ticking along in brilliant sunshine.

Keenan rifled over three frees for Longford in the first half with Padraig Davis three times, Paul Bardon and Trevor Smullen chipping in with a one apiece.

Sweeney logged four points in a frantic first half with Michael Hegarty grabbing a couple.

However, it took a wonder save from goalkeeper Tony Blake from Paul Bardon to stop Longford going at half-time in the lead.

However, Donegal grabbed conmplete control in the second half despite Longford coming back with a 57th goal by Niles Sheridan.

Sweeney's accuracy continued with another four points while Colm McFadden was also on the target with four more, three from frees.

Brian Roper, McDermott and John McFadden with a couple kept Donegal ahead while Longford's only points in the second period were two by Davis and another from Keenan.

All-Ireland qualifiers
Saturday

Donegal 1-17 Longford 1-11
Roscommon 0-14 Cork 1-10
London 0-10 Offaly 4-15
Wexford 0-09 Derry 3-10

Leinster SFC first round replay
Meath 1-11 Westmeath 0-5
Munster SHC first round replay
Limerick 0-13 Waterford 1-12

Sunday

Ulster SFC first roundDown v Monaghan (Casement Park, 1530)

Connacht SFC semi-final
Sligo v Mayo (Markievicz Park, 1430)

All-Ireland qualifiers
Carlow v Wicklow, Dr Cullen Park, 1815)
Waterford v Armagh (Armagh, 1400)
Lough v Cavan (Navan, 1815)