Donegal defeats Derry 1-25 to 1-15 in Ulster opener

Donegal secured a convincing 1-25 to 1-15 victory over Derry in their Ulster Championship opener, showcasing a dominant performance that included a key goal from Daire Ó Baoill. After a tight first half, Donegal led 1-12 to 1-5 at the break, capitalizing on Derry's missed opportunities, including a saved penalty by Shaun Patton. Derry initially closed the gap in the second half, but Donegal responded with a flurry of seven unanswered points to regain control. Patrick McBrearty was instrumental, contributing significantly to the scoreline, while Donegal's depth allowed substitutes to make an impact late in the game. The win sets up a quarter-final clash with Monaghan, scheduled for April 20. Despite the defeat, Derry's manager noted positive aspects from their first-half performance.