Armagh march on as brave Donegal fall

Armagh 2-10 Donegal 1-9

All-Ireland champions Armagh had to drag themselves back from the cusp of defeat to make it through to a second successive final and an all-Ulster clash with fierce rivals Tyrone on September 28.

In an absorbing semi-final at Croke Park, Donegal, with just 14 men, looked as if they might just hold on for what would have been a remarkable victory.

But in typical fashion, Joe Kernan's side overcame their own shooting malaise to squeeze home at the end.

The champions were dominant almost throughout, but a shocking display of finishing saw them shoot no less than 21 wides, to just four from their opponents.

Donegal full back Raymond Sweeney was red-carded after picking up a second booking just three minutes into the second half, but they refused to allow the holders to take over, battling bravely right to the end, when an injury-time penalty gave Armagh a flattering four points margin.

Armagh's attack was strangely out of touch throughout the first half, kicking a remarkable tally of 12 wides.

After a bright opening which saw them ease ahead through Oisin McConville and Paul McGrane, the champions lost their way.

While McGrane and Philip Loughran continued to give them the edge in midfield, woefully poor shooting robbed them of the opportunity to open up a comfortable lead.

The usually reliable McConville was the biggest culprit, dragging series of frees wide when he was fully expected to hit the target.

But they did have a wonderful chance when Steven McDonnell got a fist to a Marsden free which came back of the crossbar, but his effort also crashed against the woodwork, and Orchard penalty appeals were waved a way by referee Michael Monahan.

Donegal were restricted to breakaway opportunities, and took full advantage with well struck points by Toye, Brian Roper and Adrian Sweeney.

The sides were level with 20 minutes played, but Armagh were rocked by a superb Toye goal 10 minutes before the break.

Defenders Shane Carr and Barry Monaghan were involved in the sweeping move, with John Gildea providing the final pass for the flying wing forward to rifle an upstoppable shot past Paul Hearty, the first goal Armagh have conceded in this year's championship.

Diarmuid Marsden pulled back a point, but Armagh were in trouble, trailing by 1-4 to 0-4 at the break.

Despite Raymond Sweeney's dismissal, Brian McEniff's men continued to play with conviction and self-belief, but McGrane's influence in midfield always pointed to a strong Armagh finish.

But it took them 20 minutes of the second half to draw level, Steven McDonnell fielding John McEntee's long delivery to turn and shoot low to the net.

Brendan Devenney regained the lead for brave Donegal, and when substitute Paddy McKeever squeezed over a wonder free, Adrian Sweeney levelled again.

But Armagh's legendary instinct for survival was to come to their rescue yet again, and when Peter Loughran dashed through from midfield to fist the lead point in injury-time, Donegal had finally succumbed.

And the dream of back to back titles remains very much alive, after McConville blasted home a penalty.