BRIAN MULLINS had an interesting sort of day. A Dubliner living in Donegal and managing Derry's footballers, he returned home yesterday to lead his team to victory against the county of his residence in the National Football League final at Croke Park.

It was a satisfying achievement for someone who took over the Derry job only last October more because of the nature of the victory than the mere retention of the title. League wins in Derry are as common as the internal strife which makes Mullins the county's third manager in the last two years but yesterday's was achieved with a power and purpose that is likely to make the team hot favourites for this year's All Ireland.

Three League titles in the last five seasons is impressive reading - and Derry also become the first county since Kerry 22 years ago to retain it but neither of the other two wins for Derry were followed by championship success.

For Donegal, the trend is as consistent, but in the opposite direction. The defeat was their third in the last four League finals.

A modest crowd of 24,298 turned up on an afternoon when much sporting attention was focused on televised events in the north east of England, but the attendance was only a couple of thousand fewer than last year's final between the same teams at a venue not exactly convenient for the counties.

It was a match dominated by Derry, after a bright start from Donegal had faded. The turning point was Anthony Tohill's 13th minute goal after which Derry never looked in too much difficulty despite giving away a goal before half time after a slip by goalkeeper Jon Kelly.

Veteran midfielder Brian McGilligan's confidence never wavered: "I felt we were always in control, cruising when they got that goal. I suppose we'll be hot favourites for the All Ireland now, but what's new about that? You are only as good as your last game, though, and it is up to us to maintain this form.

Derry and Donegal start their League campaigns on successive Sundays in a few weeks. Armagh will make the journey to Derry with some trepidation, whereas Donegal must pick themselves up to face Down, twice All Ireland champions this decade.

Donegal's PJ McGowan was gracious in defeat. "It's a bit of a downer, but the League is finished and it is on to the championship. We gave it our best shot. Now we have three weeks to get our house in order."