Donegal see off Armagh to seal semi-final spot

DONEGAL qualified for the semi-finals of the TG4 AllIreland SFC for the first time with a 0-19 to 1-13 victory over Armagh at Healy Park, Omagh yesterday.

Donegal were big winners over Armagh in the Ulster final earlier in the summer on a 9-21 to 4-8, but it was a lot closer on this occasion.

The Ulster champions will now look forward to a semi-final in two weeks’ time against either Cork or Westmeath, who will play tomorrow.

Donegal were six points up at half-time but on two occasions in the third quarter but Armagh came back to within a point before getting back on terms 13 minutes from time. Late points, though, from Eilish Ward (two) and Niamh Hegarty took Donegal over the line in a tense finish.

Six points in seven minutes – through Geraldine McLaughlin, Sarah Jane McDonald and four from Yvonne Bonner – put Donegal 0-10 to 0-4 to the good by the 25th minute and they seemed well in command.

Armagh were unfortunate not to pull a goal back when they seized on a short kick-out from Laura Gallagher and worked the ball to Aoife McCoy, whose shot for goal struck the post.

Ciara Hegarty, the Donegal centre-back, then made a goalsaving tackle to pinch the ball off Aimee Mackin.

Donegal went on to lead 0-11 to 0-5 at the break.

Gallagher had to make a pointblank stop from Aimee Mackin in the opening minute of the second half as substitute Shauna Grey was denied by the Donegal goalkeeper from the rebound.

Mackin then scored a fine point from a difficult angle for Armagh, only for Eilish Ward to do the same at the other end. Armagh were indebted to Marian McGuinness for a block from McLaughlin.

But the Orchard County side continued to fight and points from Caroline O’Hanlon and Aoife McCoy meant the team under the stewardship of Fionnuala McAtamney and Lorraine McCaffrey were back to 0-13 to 0-9 down by the 41st minute.

Then, an Armagh goal sparked the comeback, when McCoy shot past Gallagher after a fine break from the middle of the field by O’Hanlon. It left Armagh trailing 0-14 to 1-10.

In the 47th minute, Armagh took advantage of their opponents’ nervousness and managed to level through Shauna Grey. Katy Herron edged the Ulster champions back into a slender lead, 0-16 to 1-12, with ten minutes remaining but Blaithin Mackin tied it up in quick response.

After Ward scored to put Donegal one up again, McCoy had another goal aopportunity. However, she shot just wide and claimed a push, while Niamh Hegarty doubled Donegal’s lead.

Ward pushed the advantage out to three to seal the issue.