Donegal 1-12
Armagh 1-11
DONEGAL ARE INTO the All-Ireland semi-finals after edging past Ulster rivals Armagh in Croke Park by the most slender of margins.
Paddy McBrearty bagged the game-winning score in the final minute of normal time, as Jim McGuinness’ side survived their biggest test thus far in 2014.
On a day when forwards were overshadowed by defensive systems, with Jamie Clarke being held scoreless and Michael Murphy only managing one point from play, the Donegal full-forward line found their range when it mattered most.
After Stefan Campbell’s goal on 59 minutes, Armagh led by a point going into the game’s final ten minutes, although first Michael Murphy and then McBrearty stepped up to find the crucial scores.
It was in fact that man Michael Murphy who opened the game’s scoring on three minutes with a free, yet it would take a stuttering Donegal 27 minutes before they would score their first point from play through Neil McGee.
Nonetheless, thanks to a goal by Odhrán MacNiallais on 22 minutes Donegal found themselves 1-1 to 0-3 ahead despite being second to Armagh in most sectors.
The decision to move Michael Murphy back into the full forward line had proved an inspired one, as he won three scorable frees and along with fellow Glenswilly club man Neil Gallagher he gave Donegal an outlet by winning primary possession.
On the opposite end Armagh’s main man Jamie Clarke was well shackled in the opening half by Neil McGee, and the diminutive full-forward was not one of his team’s six first-half scorers.
As the two teams racked up ten first-half wides between them, the focus seemed to be centred on psychological matters more so than footballing concerns. A number of off-the-ball instances slowed down the tempo of the match as neither team were prepared to concede an inch.
The second-half started slowly, although Donegal upped their performance and dominated for large periods against a frustrated Armagh side. With Kevin Dyas not allowed the freedom of previous games. Armagh struggled to find that final link pass, instead persisting with lateral passes to maintain possession.
And so, despite having the upper-hand, nine second-half Donegal wides did mean that Armagh were able to stay within touching distance.
Campbell’s fisted goal then did give Armagh that chance they craved, although from there Paul Grimley’s team only managed one more score in the final ten minutes.
After Paddy McBrearty’s point on 70 minutes, Armagh’s excellent Tony Kernan was provided with two long-distance shots at heroism, and the chance of earning a replay – but it wasn’t to be, and Donegal progress.
Scorers for Donegal: Odhrán MacNiallais 1-1; Colm McFadden 0-3 (0-2f); Michael Murphy 0-6 (0-5f); Neil McGee, Patrick McBrearty 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: Stefan Campbell 1-1; Tony Kernan 0-4 (0-1f); Aaron Kernan (0-1f) 0-2; Kyle Carragher, Michael Murray, Andy Mallon, Aidan Forker 0-1 each.
DONEGAL
1. Paul Durcan (Four Masters)
2. Eamonn McGee (Ghaoth Dobhair)
3. Neil McGee (Ghaoth Dobhair)
4. Frank McGlynn (Glenfin)
12. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)
6. Karl Lacey (Four Masters)
7. Paddy McGrath (Ardara)
8. Neil Gallagher (Glenswilly)
9. Odhrán MacNiallais (Gweedore)
10. Christy Toye (St Michaels)
14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)
5. Anthony Thompson (Glenties)
13. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar)
11. Leo McLoone (Glenties)
15. Colm McFadden (St Michaels)
Subs:
26. Rory Kavanagh (St. Eunan’s) for Toye (42)
24. Martin McElhinney (St Michaels) for McLoone (54)
17. Darach O’Connor (Buncrana) for McFadden (57)
25. Martin O’Reilly (Seán MacCumhaill’s) for McBrearty (71)
ARMAGH
1. Philip McEvoy (Dromintee)
19. Finnian Moriarty (Wolfe Tones)
3. Charlie Vernon (Armagh Harps)
4. Andy Mallon (Parnells)
5. Mark Shields (Whites Cross)
6. Brendan Donaghy (Clonmore)
7. Aaron Kernan (Crossmaglen Rangers)
8. Stephen Harold (Carrickcruppen)
9. Aaron Findon (St Peter’s)
10. Aidan Forker (Maghery)
11. Kevin Dyas (Dromintee)
12. Tony Kernan (Crossmaglen Rangers)
13. Kyle Carragher (Crossmaglen Rangers)
14. Stefan Campbell (Clann na Gael)
15. Jamie Clarke (Crossmaglen Rangers)
Subs:
21. Brian Mallon (Tir na nOg) for Carragher (40)
24. Ethan Raferty (Grange) for Findon (45)
17. Rory Grugan (Ballymacnab) for Dyas (54)
20. Michael Murray (St Patrick’s) for Forker (57)
22. Kieran Toner (Granemore) for Harold (64)
Referee: Joe Mc Quillan (Cavan).
