Philly McMahon
Eight-time All-Ireland winner with Dublin on BBC Sport

Derry dropping just a little bit too deep. We know Donegal have scorers from everywhere, so they (Derry) need to put a little bit more pressure on.

The big Derry charge is halted for now.

Patrick McBreaty knocks over an easy free - which was brought forward after Derry interfered with the taking of the initial free - before Shane O'Donnell curls one between the sticks and Donegal double their lead.

Image source, Getty Images

Just what Derry were after!

Brendan Rogers knocks over a point before Conor Doherty's two-pointed effort just about makes it over Shaun Patton's crossbar.

And, after Michael Murphy is yellow carded for a foul on Derry sub Niall Loughlin, the away side work the ball to Rogers and he swings another two-pointer over.

Two points in it!

Philly McMahon
Eight-time All-Ireland winner with Dublin on BBC Sport

Derry getting two scores from two Donegal kick-outs early in the second half is exactly what they wanted.

Can Derry chip into this Donegal lead? The first few scores of this half will be important.

Conor McManus
Two-time Ulster winner on BBC Two NI

I think we're in for a good second half.

Derry will be reasonably happy with their first half display and will feel they are right in this, seven points down. Last year, seven points down you'd feel it's hard to claw back, but a couple of early scores and it's game on.

Chrissy McKaigue
Former Derry captain on BBC Two NI

With the old rules, a seven-point deficit...you wouldn't have a huge amount of confidence, but Conor Glass has been scoring two-pointers for fun this year. Derry will try to get him in around the arc. Shane McGuigan has a long kick and Brendan Rogers can score two-pointers too.

Mark McHugh
Former Donegal forward on BBC Two NI

It's been a great first-half for Donegal, but I think the score flatters a wee bit. Derry would have been content until the last six or seven minutes, but Daire O Baoill - 1-4 - has given us a wee bit of a lift going in at half-time.

Conor McManus
Two-time Ulster winner on BBC Two NI

Shaun Patton's kick-outs have been excellent. They are very hard to defend as you can't drop off, so it's a great weapon for Donegal to have, especially with the wind.

Conor McManus
Two-time Ulster winner on BBC Two NI

Daire O Baoill has been brilliant in the first-half. He's set up two or three scores, kicked 1-4, two wonderful two-pointers and that's essentially why Donegal lead at this stage.

A driving run and accurate finish from Daire O Baoill has helped Donegal establish a seven-point cushion at the midpoint.

Chrissy McKaigue
Former Derry captain on BBC Two NI

I can't the last time I saw Shane McGuigan miss a penalty but I also can't the last time he went to that side. That would have been a big score Derry at that stage. In fairness, they steadied the ship well. Donegal had the breeze in that half - Derry will be relatively happy.

This was how Dan Higgins marked his championship debut with a fine finish.

Chrissy McKaigue
Former Derry captain on BBC Two NI

Donegal are devastating when they transition. Derry have been smart and have tried to take the sting out of the game. I'd like to see Derry do more than that.

Conor McManus
Two-time Ulster winner on BBC Two NI

Derry would have been very content there until the last five or six minutes of the half. They took the sting out of the game and controlled it well to be in touch, but Donegal took over with a few two-pointers and gained a fair bit of momentum going in at half-time.

Daire O Baoill certainly found his range during that half.

Chrissy McKaigue
Former Derry captain on BBC Two NI

The Donegal goal was a sucker-punch but the two-pointers are changing the energies of the games now. Derry will be thinking to themselves 'how are we so far behind' but they'll have the breeze in the second half.

Philly McMahon
Eight-time All-Ireland winner with Dublin on BBC Sport

There is a big challenge for Derry now. The first half has been interesting. Donegal showed weaknesses in defence but offensively they have been excellent. The second half for Derry is now going to be about character.

Derry can't find a score after the hooter at the end of the half and Donegal lead by seven at the break.

Cracking opening 35 minutes.

Philly McMahon
Eight-time All-Ireland winner with Dublin on BBC Sport

I'm not happy with McFaul. He needs to press out as there's an extra man in behind, but you can't turn your back on a shot like that.