Mark McHugh scored a fine point in the second half as 14 man Donegal beat Monaghan by a single point
DONEGAL dug deep this evening after being reduced to 14 men in the second half to run out one point winners against Monaghan.
The clash at Brefni Park in Cavan was nip and tuck all evening as both sides battled to make it to the final.
And with five minutes of added time and with the scoreline 0-17 to Donegal to Monaghan’s 2-10, it looked like Monaghan had the advantage with that extra man.
But Donegal showed their metal and hung on until referee Maurice Deegan blew his whistle to the delight and relief of the Dun na nGall players and fans.
Following the win, Donegal manager Rory Gallagher said: “We hit the ground running but then they got those two goals.
“It was disappointing to be just two points up at half-time.
“It was a great game and I think we were the better team.”
Donegal took a two point lead into the second with a scoreline of 0-10 to 2-2.
Michael Murphy clinched the tenth point before the half time whistle and what a vital point it was at the end of the game.
On 36 mins Monaghan skipper Conor McManus cut the deficit to one point by scoring from play within seconds of the restart at Breffni Park.
Donegal quickly responded with a free scored by Patrick McBrearty.
Mark McHugh produced the best score of the day on 38 minutes, a brilliant right-footed effort from well out.
Owen Duffy landed a speedy reply for Monaghan.
On 53 mins second-half Monaghan substitute Conor Boyle scored a point from play to once again narrow the deficit to just one point.
A minute later Donegal skipper Michael Murphy slotted over a free for their first point for 17 minutes.
Patrick McBrearty quickly adds a fine score from play on 56 minutes.
But Jack McCarron’s fine left-footed effort from distance was a worthy reply from Monaghan.
Just seconds before the hour mark, Martin O’Reilly was supplied by McGlynn and it resulted is a 15th point for Donegal.
Monaghan’s Conor McCarthy went through on 60 minutes but his chip over keeper McGinley comes off the crossbar.
That would be a costly point for Monaghan at the end of the game.
Minutes later Monaghan skipper Conor McManus slotted over a free and there are the gaps is now two points.
With the game ebbing and flowing, extra time was looming if the game ended level, and neither team wanted that.
On 65 mins Martin O’Reilly scored a point for Donegal.
But his team is suddenly reduced 14 men when midfielder Rory Kavanagh gets a second yellow card for hauling down Karl O’Donnell by the neck.
Conor McManus landed a free on 70 mins and then substitute Jack McCarron scores to reduce the gap to just one point.
There was a palpable tension in Brefni Park and Karl Monaghan is given a black card.
But 14-man Donegal were not giving up without a fight and big Mickey Murphy score another free for Donegal.
The tensions suddenly started to rise as the players and fans hear that there will be five minutes of added on time.
Four minutes into time added on, Monaghan corner-back Colin Walshe scored a point and the deficit was down to a single point.
Then referee Deegan blew his whistle and it was all over.
14 man Donegal have knocked out Ulster Champions Monaghan!
Now the Dun na nGall boys will have two weeks to recharge their batteries and be ready for the final.
They will know tomorrow, Sunday, July 3, who they meet following the clash between Tyrone and Cavan.
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