Donegal 1-11
Monaghan 0-14
THEY HAVE GROWN familiar with each other after contesting the last three Ulster senior football finals, and now Donegal and Monaghan must meet again after they could not be separated in tonight’s provincial semi-final clash in Kingspan Breffni Park.
A second-half goal from Odhran MacNiallais – his third in two games – looked like the critical strike that would propel Donegal to victory and defeat the reigning Ulster champions.
But Conor McManus showed his leadership and class with a series of vital late frees to draw Monaghan back into it.
And even after Donegal substitute Christy Toye fisted over a 74th minute point to edge Rory Gallagher’s men into a narrow lead, Monaghan regrouped with man-of-the-match Karl O’Connell winning the last-gasp free that McManus pointed to send this contest to a replay.
16,287 fans were in attendance for a thrilling clash that failed to produce a winner to contest the final on 17 July. With Tyrone and Cavan also having drawn in the other semi-final last Sunday, it creates the prospect of a series of fascinating Ulster showdowns during the month of July.
Without the suspended Neil McGee, Donegal still flew out of the traps to go in front 0-3 to 0-1 by the 13th minute. Yet Monaghan rallied to string together four points without reply and gain some serious momentum by the 26th minute.
Still Donegal responded with three points in succession and yet the game was deadlocked at the interval thanks to a McManus free.
It looked like Monaghan had made a formidable burst in the second-half with a brace of well-taken points by O’Connell leaving them 0-10 to 0-7 in front in the 47th minute.
Donegal were severely hampered by poor shooting but they struck a vital score that mattered in the 57th minute when Odhran MacNiallais rolled his shot to the net.
The form of Donegal in the finale was all the more impressive given they had been reduced to 14 men with Martin McElhinney being sent-off in the 53rd minute, shown a black card after already being on a yellow card.
Donegal’s character was tremendous and they fashioned telling scores, including a superb Eoin McHugh point in the 63rd minute that put them ahead 1-10 to 0-11.
Monaghan steadied themselves with McManus striking over magnificent frees in the 72nd and 73rd minutes to tie the teams.
Then Toye looked like the match winner before McManus intervened to ensure they will have to do it all over again.
Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 0-5 (0-3f), Michael Murphy 0-3 (0-2f), Odhran MacNiallais 1-0, Eoin McHugh, Christy Toye, Karl Lacey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McManus 0-8 (0-7f), Karl O’Connell, Conor McCarthy (0-1f) 0-2 each, Shane Carey, Owen Duffy 0-1 each.
Donegal
1. Mark Anthony McGinley (St Michael’s)
2. Paddy McGrath (Ardara)
3. Ciaran Gillespie (Gaoth Dobhair)
4. Eamonn McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)
6. Karl Lacey (St Eunan’s)
7. Frank McGlynn (Glenfin)
8. Rory Kavanagh (St Eunan’s)
9. Odhrán Mac Niallais (Gaoth Dobhair)
10. Anthony Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
11. Martin McElhinney (St Michael’s)
12. Eoin McHugh (Kilcar)
13. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar)
14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly – captain)
15. Martin O’Reilly (Sean Mac Cumhaill)
Subs
Mark McHugh (Kilcar) for McGlynn (65)
Christy Toye (St Michael’s) for Kavanagh (68)
Monaghan
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
2. Colin Walshe (Doohamlet)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
4. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)
18. Fintan Kelly (Clones)
6. Vinny Corey (Clontibret)
7. Kieran Duffy (Latton)
8. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland)
9. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown)
10. Shane Carey (Scotstown)
24. Owen Duffy (Latton)
12. Ryan McAnespie (Emyvale)
13. Conor McCarthy (Scotstown)
14. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret – captain)
Subs
Dessie Mone (Clontibret) for Wylie (58)
Daniel McKenna (Truagh Gaels) for McCarthy (58)
Conor Boyle (Clontibret) for Walshe (black card) (61)
Jack McCarron (Currin) for Carey (64)
Dick Clerkin (Currin) for McAnespie (71)
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)
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Brill career with some attitude that facilitated his success. Very ambitious guy, wish him all the best with the coaching.
He worked hard at the game. I wish him well for the future.
Always remembered him as a nice guy in school. Though the experiences he’s gained playing football seem to have really matured him. He seems really down to earth and humble. Great traits for a footballer. Good luck to him in the coaching career!
Great article. Hail! Hail! Darren forever a Celtic man. Enjoy yr retirement and who knows you might end back at Paradise.
That’s a fantastic read. To be packing it in at 32 must mean he has some serious drive to make a decent go at coaching. Fair play. He seems to know what he wants. Won’t be the last we hear of him !! Great read…
Having played together at Home Farm I officially feel old now. He was a better center back than people ever gave him credit and had a great career. Well done and best of luck in the future.
Didnt he score against Rangers in a Scottish league cup final victory I think..also he became Toronto’s captain for a time and part of the Ireland defence in the famous nil all draw in Moscow
And he gets sent off.. just wanted to feel like zidane.
I was in Milan that night and he was absolutely brilliant. Really thought he was going to be top class. Still had a great career though.
There has to be an interesting book there from all the various experiences.
A bit too good looking for an Irish Footballer / Athlete ( only kidding )