Goal-hungry Down dump McGuinness' Donegal out of Ulster 

Odhran Murdock of Down in action against Finnbarr Roarty of Donegal. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ulster SFC: Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21 

Down have turned the Ulster SFC on its head with a remarkable win over Donegal.

Conor Laverty’s team now have a meeting against their old foes Armagh in the semi-final after becoming only the second team ever to defeat Jim McGuinness in Ulster - the last being Monaghan in the 2013 final.

The Division 3 champions looked organised from the start, were competent in their game plan, dealt with any adversary and when it came to it, had the character and the nerve to see it out.

A late brace of goals from Miceal Rooney was ultimately the difference, although Down had scaled their way towards the win - it was far from a smash and grab.

They led 0-11 to 1-7 at half-time, with the last score of the half coming from Caolan Mooney with the sound of the hooter ringing in his ears.

It was the very least the visitors deserved. Down made use of some limited possession and Donegal’s wastefulness in front of the post to open themselves up a promising advantage of 0-8 to 0-4 on 27 minutes. 

Ryan McEvoy’s two-pointer gave their support some reral belief.

At that stage, only Oisin Gallen had pointed from play for Donegal, while Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness had already started to leave a significant footprint on the contest.

The news filtering around the ground beforehand of a possibly serious ankle injury sustained by Michael Langan deflated some of those in attendance.

With neither goalkeeper overly tested in 28 minutes and Down content with how things were going, suddenly the contest sprang into life. 

Conor O’Donnell of Donegal skied one, although it proved to be awkward when it dropped Caolan McGonagle had poked home a Donegal goal.

From the restart, Down weren’t hiding in their shells and Gavin Mulreany in the Donegal goal made a vital save and almost instantly, Michael Murphy played Gallen in for a third goal chance in as many minutes. 

Down goalkeeper Ronan Burns did enough to save and ensure that Donegal only got a point, which levelled it at 1-5 to 0-8.

Mooney, who hadn’t played so much as a minute in the league, edged Down into the interval lead, perhaps something that was more important psychologically.

Murphy took his tally for the day to four to level, two minutes into the second half, although that only came after a vital block from Ryan McHugh as Mudock smashed at goal.

It was a warning as on 42 minutes, Guinness cut some daisies with a piercing shot into the bottom corner and surprised everyone in attendance. It put Down three points in front again, 1-12 to 1-9 and proved they certainly weren’t for wilting.

Down, with a Murdock score topping up Pat Havern’s steady trickle, moved five points in front, 1-15 to 1-10, on 45 minutes.

Without Langan, Donegal weren’t overly eager to take on two-pointers, although Jason McGee helped get Donegal back on terms from outside of the arc, making it 1-15 to 1-15. 

Murdock’s point to edge Down back in front looked wide to many, with referee Paddy Neilan checking with his umpires.

Again, though, just when it looked as though Down might crack, they stayed on track. Rooney, five minutes from time, took advantage to net with five minutes to go, having been fed by Ceilum Doherty and then was on hand to slap home his side’s third goal to seal the win.

McGonagle was denied what would’ve been a second Donegal goal when it was decided Shea Malone was out of play as he centred and two late two-pointers from Malone and Peadar Mogan were just that, too late.

It was a monumental victory for Down.

Donegal scorers: Michael Murphy 0-7, tpf, 4f; Caolan McGonagle 1-0; Oisin Gallen 0-5 Conor O’Donnell 0-3; Jason McGee 0-2, tp; Peadar Mogan 0-2, tp; Shea Malone 0-2, tp;

Down scorers: Pat Havern 0-7, tp,4f; Daniel Guinness 1-3 Miceal Rooney 2-0; Adam Crimmins 0-4; Ryan McEvoy 0-2, tp; Odhran Murdrock 0-3; Caolan Mooney 0-1; Ceilum Doherty 0-1.

Donegal: Gavin Mulreaney; Caolan McColgan, Brendan McCole, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Finnbarr Roarty; Jason McGee, Hugh McFadden; Shane O’Donnell, Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan; Conor O’Donnell, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen.

Subs: Daire Ó Baoill for Moore (40), Max Campbell for McHugh (47), Mark Curran for Gallagher (59), Shea Malone for Gallen (60).

Down: Ronan Burns; Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty, Callum Rogers; Caolan Mooney, Shane Annett, Daniel McGuinness; Odhran Murdrock, Ryan McEvoy; Miceal Rooney, Ceilum Doherty, John McGeough; Adam Crimmins, Pat Havern, Pearse McPolin. Subs:

Subs: Liam Kerr for McGeough (45), Finn McElroy for Fegan (49), Jamie Doran for Mooney (57), Ryan Magill for McPolin (60), Ruairi McCormick for C Rogers (66).

Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).