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Result: Monaghan 0-11 Donegal 0-10
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Countdown on to throw-in at Clones, 2014 Ulster champions Donegal going up against 2013 Ulster champions Monaghan.
Here’s your starting teams.
Donegal:
1. Paul Durcan
2. Paddy McGrath
3. Neil McGee
4. Eamon McGee
5. Ryan McHugh
6. Karl Lacey
7. Frank McGlynn
8. Neil Gallagher
9. Martin McElhinney
10. Christy Toye
11. Odhrán MacNiallais
12. Martin O’Reilly
13. Patrick McBrearty
14. Michael Murphy
15. Colm McFadden
Monaghan:
1. Rory Beggan
2. Dessie Mone
3. Vinny Corey
4. Ryan Wylie
5. Colin Walshe
6. Fintan Kelly
7. Karl O’Connell
8. Neil Mc Adam
9. Darren Hughes
10. Owen Duffy
11. Stephen Gollogly
12. Shane Carey
13. Dermot Malone
14. Kieran Hughes
15. Conor McManus
Mark McHugh replaces Martin O’Reilly on Donegal team. Owen Lennon and Kieran Duffy in for Monaghan. Stephen Gollogly and Shane Carey drop out.
Donegal 0-1 Monaghan 0-0
Good move by Donegal with Karl Lacey and Odhran MacNiallais heavily involved before Patrick McBrearty swings over the point.
Donegal 0-2 Monaghan 0-0
Lacey raises the white flag on this occasion with a super point.
Donegal 0-3 Monaghan 0-1
Points traded as Frank McGlynn and Conor McManus are on target.
Donegal 0-3 Monaghan 0-2
Classy score for Karl O’Connell for Monaghan as he evades Donegal captain Michael Murphy.
Conor McManus misses a chance to tie the teams from a free as his shot tails wide.
Donegal 0-3 Monaghan 0-3
All square now as McManus pops over a close-range free. But Monaghan could have netted only for Dermot Malone’s close-range shot to be stopped by Paul Durcan before the Donegal goalkeeper then handled the ball on the ground.
Still all square with Monaghan frustrating Donegal after Rory Gallagher’s side had made such a bright start.
Monaghan 0-4 Donegal 0-3
A long passage of patient build-up play sees Monaghan recycle the ball over and back the pitch before finally a perceptive delivery releases Owen Duffy and he hits a fine point.
Early thought on this game? People not too impressed.
Monaghan 0-5 Donegal 0-3
But Monaghan will not care too much about the quality. They’re on top as Kieran Duffy pushes them into a two-point advantage. Donegal have faded after that strong opening.
Monaghan 0-6 Donegal 0-3
It gets even better for Monaghan. McManus points from play but all the credit goes to Ryan Wylie for superbly placing pressure on Christy Toye to strip him of possession.
Monaghan 0-6 Donegal 0-4
Finally Donegal’s long scoring drought ends as Michael Murphy hits a free.
Monaghan 0-7 Donegal 0-4
But Monaghan bounce back in style with a superb point from distance by Dessie Mone.
Monaghan 0-8 Donegal 0-4
And that’s a four-point lead now for Monaghan with McManus on target.
Monaghan 0-9 Donegal 0-4
But Monaghan’s shooting boots are on at the other end with Owen Lennon sending them five clear.
Monaghan 0-9 Donegal 0-5
Donegal pull a point back through McBrearty from a free.
Monaghan 0-10 Donegal 0-6
The free takers for the respective sides both step up with first McBrearty and then McManus raising white flags.
Monaghan 0-11 Donegal 0-6
Conor McManus is showing his attacking class here. Double-marked by the Donegal defence but he still succeeds in curling over a sublime point.
Monaghan 0-11 Donegal 0-7
Michael Murphy bangs over a free to cut the gap to four points.
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Monaghan 0-11 Donegal 0-8
McBrearty again points a free and Donegal cut the gap to three.
Monaghan 0-11 Donegal 0-9
And Donegal still very much in this, McBrearty with a great long-range point.
Monaghan 0-11 Donegal 0-10
Massive comeback from Donegal as McBrearty converts a free and then at the other end McManus hits the post at a stage when Monaghan need a score to settle them.
One minute left, Monaghan holding on and denying Donegal the chance to level.
Sub: Donegal bring on Leo McLoone for MacNiallais.
All over and Monaghan hold on to be crowned Ulster senior football champions for the second time in three years with an 0-11 to 0-10 win.
They didn’t score for the last 20 minutes of the game but Monaghan held on despite Donegal shooting the last four points of the match. Huge win for Malachy O’Rourke’s side and they’re through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Donegal go back to the qualifiers to Round 4B where they will face Galway or Tyrone. Thanks for joining us today.
As rumoured. Nice guy and a good servant. Still had a year on his contract so Quins ought to be paying something for him. A huge NIQ lock to replace him would be nice.
@Justin Robinson: Or has he already been replaced on the cheap with Matthew Dalton…?
@Justin Robinson: think you’re right. Given financial situation, I think an NIQ 9 would be more appropriate if Cooney is gone at end of season.
Augustus looks good for back row next year, and we are actually quite well served in second row with Sheridan/Izzy/AOC/ Hendy and Dalton if required
@Justin Robinson: I was thinking NIQ lock but with Humph seemingly softening on the NIQ Frontrows a NIQ TH, would be needed most out of all the provinces.
@Si: I guess we could get by at lock (although I’d much prefer Izzy at 6 and AOC is out of contract at the end of the season) but unless Hendy suddenly turns into Benjamin Button we’re certainly not strong there. We’re also short of a proper 15. Oh for a Payne, Ludik or Addison. It’ll be great to see Big Stu, JS and JH back out on the paddock against the Reds though.
@Kingshu: Maybe a big TH lock would help TOT and young Wilson? Corrie looked deadly from a foot out against Zebre!
@Justin Robinson: RG Snymans contact is up at Leinster, must be our turn for him now?
@Kingshu: Connacht will get their go before Ulster.
@Justin Robinson: I’d rather Slimani