Donegal moved into the Ulster semi-final with a hard fought win against Armagh.
Donegal 1-16 Armagh 0-12
Donegal were three points ahead at half-time but were wasteful, converting less than half of their attempts on goal.
Donegal’s Patrick McBrearty looks for options during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Michael Murphy’s six points were a massive help but Patrick McBrearty’s second half goal gave Donegal a comfortable seven point lead when Armagh were on top.
Eoghan Ban Gallagher got Donegal off to a quick start when he raced through and fisted over within a minute.
Donegal won the kick out and won a free which Michael Murphy converted.
Donegal’s Peadar Mogan bears down on the Armagh goal during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Jarly Óg Burns got Armaghs first point as he fisted over but Jason McGee restored the two point lead.
Armagh had a good spell with Donegal wasting chances as Tiernan Kelly and Conor Turbitt pointed while Rory Grugan scored a free as Armagh took the lead.
Donegal’s Eoghan Ban Gallagher during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Grugan pointed again when Donegal levelled from a Murphy free but Michael Langan got his first point of the game to level.
A brilliant score from Murphy from way out before he scored a free gave Donegal a bit of a cushion.
Grugan and Patrick McBrearty exchanged frees but Donegal take a three point lead into the break with a Ciaran Thompson point from play.
Donegal’s Eoghan Ban Gallagher sets up Michael Langan during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal were comfortable in the first half but wasteful as they converted just nine of their 19 shots on goal.
Armagh thought they were level 20 seconds into the second half when Rian O’Neill got the ball in the net but referee Maurice Deegan gave a free out.
A massive free from O’Neill cannoned off the post and substitute Aidan Nugent went for goal but Shaun Patton made a great save with his feet.
Donegal manager Declan Bonner during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Shane O’Donnell got a much needed point for Donegal as they were under pressure in the opening stages of the second half but his point from play was the first score of the half after almost 10 minutes.
Donegal’s goal then came from Patrick McBrearty when Ciaran Thompson played in the Kilcar man.
McBrearty played a one-two with Caolan Ward before punching the ball into the net to make it 1-10 to 0-7.
Tempers fray during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Stefan Campbell came on and quickly pointed as Armagh needed scores, scoring one of their 10 attempts at goal in the second half.
Murphy scored another free but Armagh responded through Ben Crealey and another Grugan free.
Langan got his second point as Oisin O’Neill came off the bench to point but Armagh were in need of a goal.
Donegal’s Michael Langan breaks out of defence during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal weren’t allowing The Saffrons back into the game as McBrearty pointed before a big Grugan score from play.
Murphy then found Langan through on goal with what would have sealed the victory but Langan blasted over for a point.
Donegal’s Jason McGee works possession out of a busy midfield during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Murphy and Conor O’Donnell added to the scoreline and greg McCabe got one back for Armagh but they were still seven points behind.
Donegal will face Cavan in the semi-final after the Breffni side beat Antrim 1-20 to 0-10.
Donegal’s Shane O’Donnell under pressure from Armagh’s Tiernan Kelly during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Caolan Ward, Brendan McCole, Stephen McMenamin, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban Gallagher (0-1), Peadar Mogan; Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee (0-1); Ciaran Thompson (0-1), Shane O’Donnell (0-1), Michael Langan (0-3), Patrick McBrearty (1-2,1f), Michael Murphy (0-6,4f), Jamie Brennan.
Subs: Caolan McGonagle for McGee (52 mins), Conor O’Donnell (0-1) for Thompson (55 mins), Niall O’Donnell for McFadden (61 mins), Paul Brennan for Shane O’Donnell (68 mins)
Armagh: Ethan Rafferty; James Morgan, Aidan Forker, Aaron McKay, Niall Grimley, Greg McCabe, Jarly Òg Burns (0-1); Connaire Mackin, Ben Crealey (0-1); Jemar Hall, Rory Grugan (0-5,3f), Tiernan Kelly (0-1), Conor Turbitt (0-1), Rian O’Niell, Jason Duffy.
Subs: Aidan Nugent for Duffy (half-time) Stefan Campbell (0-1) for Hall (47 mins), Oisin O’Neill (0-1) for Mackin (50 mins), Ross McQuillan for Forker (62 mins)
Referee: Maurice Deegan
