Like Armagh, Donegal will go into subsequent week’s Division Two last on the again of an unbeaten league document due to their overcome Meath.
Regardless of this sport being one thing of a useless rubber with Donegal already promoted and Meath protected, Jim McGuinness opted to play nearly all of his regulars to take care of momentum.
Nonetheless, McBrearty pulled up after 20 minutes and McHugh was pressured off after 46 when taking a hefty hit to the shoulder from Donal Keoghan that noticed the Meath man cautioned.
Whether or not the pair are match to face Armagh subsequent week stays to be seen, however McGuinness might be blissful together with his workforce’s efficiency on Saturday in troublesome situations as 10 completely different names bought on the scoresheet.
Oisin Gallen landed 4 factors with Jamie Brennan grabbing the second half aim to place the sport away halfway by way of the second interval.
Meath could not have wished for a greater begin as Cathal Hickey blasted to the online simply 20 seconds in, however they didn’t construct on it.
In equity, situations had been extraordinarily difficult for each with heavy downpours all through the day leaving it slippery underfoot and the ball like a bar of cleaning soap.
Each missed quite a few possibilities earlier than Donegal lastly bought off the mark by way of Shane O’Donnell 13 minutes in and had goalkeeper Shaun Patton to thank for a point-blank save from James Conlon simply seconds later.
The lack of McBrearty to damage was definitely an enormous concern for the house assist however he temper started to raise on the run to the break from the twenty third minute as they out-scored the guests by 9 to a few to steer 0-10 to 1-3 on the break, aided by a trio factors from Oisin Gallen whose third on 31 minutes drew response from Adam McDonnell who was black-carded for his troubles.
Donegal maintained the hole with McHugh, Aaron Doherty and Ciaran Thompson heading in the right direction, however did lose McHugh to that damage.
Meath had been hanging in, nevertheless it was sport over after 52 as Doherty performed an outstanding ball into Brennan who burst by way of, rounded Billy Hogan and completed to make it 1-13 to 1-5.
The perimeters hit 5 factors apiece down the stretch and Donegal would end with 14 following a 66th minute black card for Caolan McGonagle after a visit, however the challenge was lengthy since determined.