Remarkable second-half comeback sees Donegal through to All-Ireland Semi-Final

Donegal 1-26 v Monaghan 1-20

Donegal had to dig deep against Monaghan in the All-Ireland quarter-final but they found a way in the second half after turning over a seven-point deficit.

There were some magnificent second half performances, not least from Shane O’Donnell, who just refused to accept defeat while a Michael Langan goal was vital in getting Donegal back in the game.

In the end Donegal had the energy and the motivation and were worthy winners.

Donegal had a good start to the game with Michael Murphy and Michael Langan putting Oisin Gallen through for the opening score. Ciaran McCarthy equalised but Gallen and Peadar Mogan pushed Donegal two clear. Mogan’s point came after Finnbarr Roarty won a great turnover and Eoghan Bán Gallagher was through on goal but Rory Beggan denied him.

Micheal Bannigan cut the lead while Conor O’Donnell pushed Donegal two clear again. But then Rory Beggan from a free levelled and Donegal began to find it difficult to get their kick-outs away.

Andrew Woods pushed Monaghan ahead for the first time with another two pointer. Michael Murphy hit back but Beggan from a ‘45’ and Stephen O’Hanlon kept Monaghan on the front foot. O’Hanlon almost had a goal, denied by Shaun Patton.

Ciaran Thompson with a two pointer and Ryan McHugh pulled Donegal level at 0-8 each but Monaghan were beginning to get on top. Ciaran McNulty pointed and the Patton kick-out went to O’Hanlon who sent Bannigan clear to find the net.

Again Ciaran Thompson hit a two pointer in response. Ryan O’Toole pointed for Monaghan while Donegal were not happy with a harsh overcarry call on Ryan McHugh. Andrew Woods with another two pointer and a free from Bannigan after Patton delayed the kick-out had had Monaghan six clear.

Shane O’Donnell had a late point for Donegal but when they won the kick-out they were turned over on the attack and Monaghan came forward for Beggan to hit another two pointer and leave his side seven to the good at the break, 1-15 to 0-11.

Points from Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen and Conor O’Donnell was the perfect start to the second half for Donegal but Monaghan hit back with quick scores from Stephen O’Hanlon and Conor McCarthy.

Shane O’Donnell pointed and then Michael Langan cut through to fire to the roof of the net and set the game alight.

Stephen O’Hanlon and Conor O’Donnell traded scores and O’Donnell left just a point between them with 47 minutes on the clock.

A Beggan shot came back off the upright and Monaghan were not able to score from the rebound. It seemed as things were beginning to go the way of Donegal.

Michael Langan levelled and Jason McGee burst through to win a free for Michael Murphy to edge Donegal ahead on 52 minutes.

Murphy doubled the lead and Peadar Mogan combined with Patrick McBrearty to fist them three ahead with just over 55 minutes played. Patrick McBrearty added another to make it an 11-point turnaround from half-time.

Conor O’Donnell put Donegal five ahead with 11 minutes left. Donegal were able to keep the tempo high as Monaghan began to wilt. Patrick McBrearty added to his tally as Monaghan’s wides tally reached five by the 64th minute.

Michael Langan crowned his 100th appearance with a two-pointer to put Donegal eight ahead and on their way to victory. David Garland had a two pointer for Monaghan in the 69th minute, their first points since the 46th minute. A Beggan free ended in the Donegal net but it was disallowed for a square ball and Niall O’Donnell fired the ball into the stand as the hooter went to put the seal on a great Donegal comeback.

Donegal scorers: Michael Langan 1-2; Michael Murphy 0-4, 2f; Ciaran Thompson 0-4, 2 tp; Conor O’Donnell 0-4; Oisin Gallen, Shane O’Donnell 0-3; Peadar Mogan and Patrick McBrearty 0-2; Ryan McHugh 0-1.

Monaghan scorers: Mícheál Bannigan 1-2, 1f; Rory Beggan 0-5, tpf, 45; Andrew Woods 0-4, Stephen O’Hanlon 0-3; 2 tp; Conor McCarthy 0-2; Ciaran McNulty, Ryan O’Toole and David Garland 0-1.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Ciarán Moore; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Caolan McColgan, Ciarán Thompson, Shane O’Donnell; Conor O’Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisín Gallen.

Subs: Daire Ó Baoill for McColgan (40), Jason McGee for McFadden (45), Patrick McBrearty for Gallen (49), Eoin McHugh for R McHugh (56), Niall O’Donnell for Murphy (67).

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Kieran Duffy, Dylan Byrne; Ryan O’Toole, Dessie Ward, Conor McCarthy; Mícheál McCarville, Gary Mohan; Aaron Carey, , Mícheál Bannigan, Ryan McAnespie; Ciaran McNulty, Andrew Woods, Stephen O’Hanlon.

Subs: Jack McCarron for McAnespie (40), Louis Kelly for McCarville (50) David Garland for McNulty (51), Darren Hughes and Karl O’Connell for Mohan and McCarthy (57)

Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)

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