FLASHBACK: Dublin v Donegal 2018

Ahead of Dublin’s All-Ireland SFC Round 3 clash with Donegal this weekend, we’ve taken a look back at when Dublin stepped up to the plate in a big game against the Ulster giants, our 2-15 to 0-16 win over Donegal in the Super 8s in 2018.

Dublin were in control for almost the entire afternoon, but they never quite managed to shake off a stubborn Donegal side.

The reigning All-Ireland champions dictated the tempo from the opening throw-in, dominated possession and repeatedly forced turnovers from Donegal's kick-out, yet the Ulster champions refused to let the contest drift away from them.

To their credit, Donegal kept finding scores from distance to remain within touching distance, ensuring Jim Gavin's men had to stay switched on right until the closing whistle.

From a Dublin perspective, however, this was a game that could have been put to bed much earlier.

Time and again, the Boys in Blue won possession high up the field and carved open the Donegal defence, only for the final finish to let them down.

The clearest example came midway through the second half. Having once again turned over a Donegal restart deep inside the opposition half, Con O'Callaghan looked poised to punish the visitors before clipping the ball straight back into Shaun Patton's hands.

Moments later, Brian Fenton raced clear through the middle, but his effort was well saved by the Donegal goalkeeper.

On another afternoon, those chances would have taken the game beyond doubt.

There were a number of changes before throw-in: Cian O'Sullivan returned to marshal the Dublin defence, Eoin Murchan was rewarded with his first Championship start and Jack McCaffrey lined out from the opening whistle for the first time since last year's All-Ireland final.

Donegal introduced Stephen McMenamin and Eamonn Doherty, but Dublin's intensity immediately put the Ulster champions under pressure.

The opening exchanges belonged entirely to the Dubs. Wave after wave of blue jerseys poured forward, with Dublin squeezing Donegal's kick-out and starving them of meaningful possession. Ciarán Kilkenny was inches away from opening the scoring before HawkEye ruled his effort narrowly wide.

It looked as though Dublin might run away with it. Instead, Donegal weathered the early storm and gradually settled into the contest, edging in front after fifteen minutes despite spending long spells without the ball.

The defining moment of the half arrived after 26 minutes.

Jamie Brennan found himself through on goal after a rare mix-up in the Dublin defence, but his effort sailed over the crossbar. Dublin made amends for the mistake immediately.

From the resulting kick-out, the Dubs broke with pace and precision. Niall Scully skipped inside two defenders before firing confidently beyond Patton to hand Dublin a lead they would never surrender. It was the perfect response.

The champions carried that momentum into the closing stages of the half, stretching their advantage to 1-9 to 0-8 by the interval.

There was drama at either end before the whistle. Donegal appealed in vain for a penalty after Paddy McGrath went to ground inside the square, while at the opposite end, O'Callaghan couldn't capitalise after Patton's misplaced kick-out presented him with a glorious opportunity.

Dublin struck another decisive blow within minutes of the restart.

Scully grabbed his second goal to move the Dubs seven points clear, seemingly putting one foot in the next phase of the championship.

Donegal rallied once more, but Dublin always looked to have the answers, seeing out another impressive championship victory.

More joy would come Dublin's way when they lifted Sam Maguire for the fourth year on the trot in that September's All-Ireland final.

Scorers for Dublin: Dean Rock 0-07 (0-05f, 0-01 ’45’); Niall Scully 2-00; Brian Howard, Cormac Costello 0-02, Paul Flynn each; Ciarán Kilkenny, James McCarthy 0-01 each

Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-06 (0-03f, 0-01 ’45’); Jamie Brennan 0-03, Michael Langan, Ryan McHugh 0-02 each; Ciarán Thompson, Frank McGlynn, Eamonn Doherty 0-01 each

Dublin: Stephen Cluxton; Michael Fitzsimons, Johnny Cooper, Coin Murchan; James McCarthy, Cian O’Sullivan, Jack McCaffrey; Brian Fenton, Michael Darragh Macauley; Niall Scully, Con O’Callaghan, Brian Howard; Paul Mannion, Ciarán Kilkenny, Dean Rock.

Subs: Cormac Costello for Macauley 45 mins; Kevin McManamon for Mannion 47 mins; Paul Flynn for Howard 53 mins; Eric Lowndes for McCaffrey 61 mins; Colm Basquel for O’Callaghan 70 mins; Darren Daly for Fitzsimons 74 mins.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Stephen McMenamin, Frank McGlynn, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Ryan McHugh, Paul Brennan, Paddy McGrath; Hugh McFadden, Odhrán Mac Niallais; Eamon Doherty, Michael Murphy, Ciarán Thompson; Leo McLoone, Michael Langan, Jamie Brennan.

Subs: Neil McGee for McGrath HT; Daire Ó Baoill for Mac Niallais 50 mins; Cian Mulligan for Thompson 52 mins; Caolan Ward for Doherty 56 mins; Anthony Thompson for Paul Brennan 61 mins; Stephen McBrearty for Jamie Brennan.

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)