The Alternative View: Monaghan on the double; nine down now, two to go

Once should be enough to beat any team in the championship. And especially any Ulster team. But just look at what has happened to Donegal in 2025. They played their ninth game on Saturday and seven of those games were against Ulster opposition. The only Ulster counties they haven’t met this year are Antrim and Fermanagh.

Louth and Mayo are the only counties outside of Ulster to play Donegal. Thankfully, we will be playing Meath in the All-Ireland semi-final after coming through on Saturday.

Donegal were in a bit of a pickle as they trailed Monaghan by seven points at the break in Croke Park on Saturday evening. Nine weeks ago they led the same Monaghan team by seven points at the interval in Clones and held on to win by two points.

On Saturday evening they were posed their biggest question of the All-Ireland series when the Farney men threatened to end their summer. But, as in all but one occasion so far this year, they found a way in the second half with probably their best all-round 35 minutes of the championship so far.

The nature of the modern championship is that you may have to beat a team twice to advance. Saturday’s test will stand to Donegal as they progress to the last four for the second year in-a-row.

There was always a bit of reprehension around a repeat fixture and that was reflected in the opinions around Jones Road before the game. The usual rumour mill had several Donegal players struggling to make the line-up. What would we do without the rumour mill?

When the teams took to the field it was clear that Monaghan had travelled in very big numbers to support their team. They had a corner of Hill 16 populated and were very vocal, especially in the opening half when Donegal were playing into the Hill.

At the other end during the warm-up, a number of Monaghan kicks went over the protective netting and a few footballs were not returned, souvenirs from a day out in Croker.

Any worries about injuries were quickly dispelled as the teams were announced. As expected Caolan McColgan was again a starter while Hugh McFadden was selected as Michael Langan’s midfield partner - winning the right after his massive contribution when coming in against Louth.

McFadden has become something of an expert at winning the throw-up, his ability and timing to line up his opponent and make physical contact while the ball is in the air saw him take possession at the beginning of both halves.

There was no real evidence that there was a breeze of any significance inside the ground. Outside on Jones Road prior to the game it seemed that whatever breeze was blowing, would be favouring the team playing into the Hill.

Inside the ground, it turned out to be completely the opposite. The advantage seemed to be playing into the Canal End. Despite that Ciarán Thompson hit two mighty two pointers for Donegal into the Hill in the opening half, both much needed when they arrived.

Donegal had started well but then somehow seemed to lose their way with the lively Monaghan attack giving them plenty of trouble. By the half-time hooter Monaghan had amassed 1-15 and five wides. They were helped by four two pointers, the final one a massive hoof from Rory Beggan from 55m that almost became another souvenir football as it almost breached the safety netting behind the Canal End posts.

The Donegal heads were drooped as we looked at each in the press box. Could this be the end of the summer? Could St Naul’s have their full complement for their critical club league game with Bundoran in Gaelic Park on Sunday afternoon? All sorts of thoughts went through the head.

But we of little faith. The half-time break probably came at the right time. There was time to put things right. The kick-out strategy had to improve, but more importantly the intensity had to be better. And it was right from the throw-in with Hugh McFadden again prevailing.

A few players had more than held their own in the opening half, among them Shane O’Donnell and young Finnbarr Roarty and this duo seemed to inspire the rest of the team in the second half. Roarty is beginning to look like a young Karl Lacey while O’Donnell gave a performance that was just a joy to watch. Croke Park suited both players with O’Donnell the conductor in chief.

Michael Murphy came into his own too and Michael Langan, on the periphery in the first half, suddenly came alive. His goal, after receiving the perfect return pass from Michael Murphy, was one of the highlights of the day.

Jason McGee soon joined the action and the McGee-Langan combination worked really well from there to the finish. Hopefully the former Cloughaneely giant will be able for 30-40 minutes of action against Meath; he just adds that extra dimension because of his physical height and strength.

The Donegal bench became the x-factor for Jim McGuinness with captain Patrick McBrearty as hungry for work as we have seen in a long time. There will be a big discussion at the management analytical meeting about whether the Kilcar man has earned the right to start the next day. It looks at this stage as the No 15 jersey is going to be shared by McBrearty and Oisin Gallen, who contributed three great points, but probably needs to get involved more consistently. It’s a good problem for the management.

Similarly, Dáire Ó Baoill was energised when introduced and really eager to contribute. He also has the pace and strength to trouble defences.

And talking of defences, the revised rules have put the spotlight back on defending. Take for example Galway this year. They were dumped out of the championship on Sunday by Meath and they will be one county that will look back with some regret on their defending. In their four games prior to Sunday’s defeat, they conceded over 100 points, an average above 25. And yet they survived to make it to the quarter-final. But on Sunday their luck ran out.

The new rules have given space to the forwards of the game and the knock-on effect has made for much more scores and that adds to the excitement for the crowds.

Donegal are back where they were last year - in the semi-final, but who would have predicted the final four. Yeah, Donegal and Kerry would have been in the mix and they are the only provincial champions left in the competition. Tyrone would have had their admirers but Meath have come out of the blue. Beaten in the Leinster final by Louth, they have shaken themselves and were worthy winners against Galway with Jordan Morris outstanding.

Jim McGuinness will have to hatch a plan for Morris and a number of others such as captain Eoghan Frayne and Matthew Costello.

Donegal’s record against the Royals has been good in recent times but this team has been on a roll. It’s been a long time since Meath defeated Dublin, Kerry and Galway in the same season.

The two week break will be the most welcome feature for the Donegal management. It could give enough time for Caolan McGonagle to be part of the match-day squad and add to the competitiveness.

Older readers will remember the first championship meeting between them in 1990. Meath were in their pomp at the time but Donegal, with a young Tony Boyle making his first start, put it up to them for long periods. In the end Meath prevailed but they had Lady Luck on their side for one of their goals on the day.

By the time the game is played the other finalists will be already known. The sole focus for Donegal is to get to their fourth All-Ireland final. 

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MATCH FACTS

Donegal scorers: Michael Langan 1-3,1tp;  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)