Stephen McDermott scored three points for Donegal

Donegal 2-19 0-15 Tipperary

Donegal struggled to subdue a brave Tipperary challenge before two late goals helped Brian McEniff's side claim a place in the next round of the qualifiers.

The Ulster county always looked the better team but some dreadful shooting plus accurate Tipperary marksmanship meant the contest was still tight with 10 minutes left.

However, Brendan Devenney's goal on the hour eased Donegal nerves and Brian Roper's injury-time three-pointer put something of a flattering look on the scoreboard.

The most crucial incidents of the match came in a three-minute period midway through the second half when both Tipp's star forward Declan Browne and Damian O'Brien squandered goal chances.

Had either opportunity been taken, Donegal's already fragile temperament could have been strained to breaking point.

Donegal made a bright start with Devenney and captain Adrian Sweeney notching three unanswered points in the opening five minutes.

However, 1998 Allstar Declan Browne opened Tipp's account in the seventh minute and by the end of the opening quarter, the match was level at 0-4 each.

Donegal's midfielders and forwards were showing a regular ability to waltz through the Tipperary defence but some dreadful shooting kept the underdogs in the game.

In contrast, Tipperary were invariably notching scores on their occasional breaks into the Donegal half.

Jim McGuinness was substituted by Donegal boss Brian McEniff

An exception was in the 23rd minute when Benny Hickey missed a half-chance for a goal after a magnificent pass from Browne who was revelling on the Croke Park stage.

At half-time, Donegal led by the minimum 0-8 to 0-7 and presumably McEniff had a few harsh words to say to his forwards at the break.

Early in the second half, matters got worse for Donegal with the superb Browne putting Tipperary ahead for the first time with a 40th minute point.

Stephen McDermott quickly levelled for Donegal but Tipp were ahead again in the 46th minute when that man Browne notched another point.

The next 10 minutes was probably the crucial stage of the match.

Three unanswered points by McDermott, substitute Colm McFadden and Devenney left Donegal two points up.

Next came Browne's goal chance when the former Allstar appeared to take his eye off the ball as he attempted to win possession with Donegal goalkeeper Tony Blake bearing down on him.

To make matters worse for Tipp, Donegal immediately went downfield with Brian Roper finishing off the move with a point.

Tipperary missed an even better goal chance in the 54th minute when Damien O'Brien took an extra touch instead of palming home Browne's unselfish pass.

Nine Browne points

The delay enabled Donegal goalkeeper Blake to smother the pointblank shot.

Brendan Devenney's first half contribution had been mediocre but it was his moment of magic on the hour which made the game safe.

The goal put Donegal five points ahead and caused Tipp morale to dip.

With the game won, Donegal added some gloss with some late scores which included Roper's injury-time goal when he took the ball around the Tipperary goalkeeper Philly Ryan.

At the other end, Browne, the best forward on show, brought his tally up to nine points with a fisted effort.

Donegal: T Blake, N McCready, R Sweeney, D Diver, S Carr, B Monaghan, K Cassidy, J Gildea, S McDermott (0-3), J McGuinness, M Hegarty (0-3), J McCafferty (0-1), A Sweeney (0-5), B Devenney (1-4), B Roper (1-2). Subs: C McFadden, J Haran.