Donegal march into Ulster semis with victory over Armagh

Donegal secured a spot in the Ulster semi-final with a two-point victory over Armagh in O’Donnell Park on Saturday.

The hosts started brightly, kicking the opening two scores through Luke McGlynn and Karl Magee.

The Orchard county responded well however, with two of their own through Pierce Blessing and Ruairi O’Brien.

Shaun Ward put Shaun Paul Barrett’s side back in front with a fine free off the deck just before they found the green flag. An attempted point from Oisin Caulfield fell into the hands of KJ Molloy who buried the ball home.

The visitors responded well, kicking the last two points of the half courtesy of Fergal O’brien and Pierce Blessing, leaving just two between them at the break.

The home side’s lead was extended after the break with KJ Molloy pointing from a mark. This was soon canceled out, with Ryan Duffy finding the target.

Back-to-back frees from sharpshooter Luke McGlynn put his side four to the good with five minutes left on the clock.

Barry O’Hagan’s men hit back with two scores in the closing stages through Brendan O’Hagan. However, it wasn’t enough as Diarmuid Boylan called an end to proceedings to mark Donegal’s progression to the Ulster semi-final.

Scorers – Donegal: KJ Molloy 1-1 (0-1m), L McGlynn 0-3 (0-3f), K Magee 0-1, S Ward 0-1 (0-1f).

Scorers – Armagh: P Blessing 0-2, B O’Hagan 0-2 (0-2f), R 0-1, F O’Brien 0-1, R Duffy 0-1.

Donegal: D McGowan; C McCrea, F Roarty, K Magee; F Coll, O Caulfield, S Martin; C Reid, S Ward; C McGinty, L McGlynn, S Carr; E Kelly, P McElwee, KJ Molloy.

Subs: D Gildea for Carr and C McMenamin for Reid (both 49 mins), K Lynch for Molloy (58 mins), A Mag Iomhar for McGinty and D Gallagher for Ward (Both 62 mins).

Armagh: R Stevens; E Magee, G Murphy, O Carragher; F O’Brien, B O’Hagan, C O’Neil, T Grimley, P Blessing; P O’Keefe, R O’Brien, R Duffy; F Boylan, J Austin, M Burnett.

Subs: A O’Neill for O’Keefe (HT), C McGeough for Austin (49 mins), C Agnew for R O’Brien (55 mins).

Referee: D Boylan (Monaghan).

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