Donegal 1-26 v Monaghan 1-20
Donegal mounted a remarkable second-half comeback to overcome Monaghan in their All-Ireland quarter-final clash. After trailing by seven points, Donegal found their rhythm and dominated the second half.
Inspired performances, particularly from Shane O’Donnell, who displayed immense determination, and a crucial goal from Michael Langan, propelled Donegal back into contention.
Ultimately, Donegal’s superior energy and motivation proved decisive, making them deserving victors.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness speaks with his backroom team before Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal began brightly, with Michael Murphy and Michael Langan setting up Oisin Gallen for the opening score. Ciaran McCarthy responded for Monaghan, but Gallen and Peadar Mogan edged Donegal ahead. Mogan’s point followed a fine turnover by Finnbarr Roarty and a goal chance for Eoghan Bán Gallagher, which was thwarted by Rory Beggan.
Micheal Bannigan reduced the deficit, and Conor O’Donnell restored Donegal’s two-point lead. However, Rory Beggan’s free kick leveled the score, and Donegal struggled to secure their kick-outs.
Andrew Woods gave Monaghan their first lead with a well-taken score. Michael Murphy equalized, but Beggan (from a ’45’) and Stephen O’Hanlon kept Monaghan on the offensive. O’Hanlon came close to scoring a goal, only to be denied by Shaun Patton.
Donegal’s Eoghan Bán Gallagher looks for options during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Ciaran Thompson’s score and a point from Ryan McHugh drew Donegal level at 0-8 apiece, but Monaghan were starting to gain control. Ciaran McNulty put Monaghan ahead, and after a Patton kick-out went to O’Hanlon, he set up Bannigan to find the net.
Ciaran Thompson again responded with a point. Ryan O’Toole added to Monaghan’s tally. Donegal were unhappy with an overcarry call on Ryan McHugh. Another score from Andrew Woods and a free from Bannigan (after Patton delayed his kick-out) extended Monaghan’s lead to six.
Donegal’s Caolan McColgan on a strong run during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Shane O’Donnell scored a late point for Donegal. However, after winning the subsequent kick-out, they lost possession, allowing Monaghan to launch an attack, culminating in another point for Beggan. This left Monaghan with a commanding seven-point advantage at half-time: 1-15 to 0-11.
Donegal made a perfect start to the second half, with points from Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen, and Conor O’Donnell. Monaghan responded with quick scores from Stephen O’Hanlon and Conor McCarthy.
Shane O’Donnell then scored, and Michael Langan burst through the Monaghan defence to fire a powerful shot to the roof of the net, igniting the Donegal comeback.
Donegal’s Shane O’Donnell looks for options during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Stephen O’Hanlon and Conor O’Donnell exchanged scores, leaving just one point between the teams after 47 minutes.
A shot from Beggan hit the post, and Monaghan were unable to capitalize on the rebound. The momentum was shifting in Donegal’s favor.
Donegal’s Michael Langan breaks past Monaghan’s Dessie Ward during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Michael Langan leveled the score, and Jason McGee won a free, which Michael Murphy converted to give Donegal the lead after 52 minutes.
Murphy doubled the lead. Peadar Mogan and Patrick McBrearty combined to extend it to three points with just over 55 minutes played, completing an 11-point turnaround since half-time.
Conor O’Donnell put Donegal five ahead with 11 minutes remaining. Donegal maintained a high tempo, while Monaghan began to struggle. Patrick McBrearty added another point as Monaghan’s wide count reached five by the 64th minute.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen looks for a way through a packed Monaghan defence during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Michael Langan marked his 100th appearance with a point, putting Donegal eight ahead and on the path to victory. David Garland responded with a point for Monaghan in the 69th minute, their first score since the 46th minute. A Beggan free ended in the Donegal net but was disallowed for a square ball. Niall O’Donnell concluded the scoring, sealing a memorable 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)
Remarkable second-half comeback sees Donegal through to All-Ireland Semi-Final was last modified: June 28th, 2025 by
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