Donegal stumble past Monaghan to set up league final clash with Kerry at Croke Park 

Donegal are into the NFL Division 1 final after victory over Monaghan set up a repeat of last season’s All-Ireland decider against Kerry. 

Jim McGuinness’ side stumbled through a 3-20 to 3-16 win over already relegated Monaghan in Clones on Sunday but the manager will hope to have some heavy artillery back for that trip to Croke Park next Sunday.

Shane O’Donnell returned to the fray at St Tiernach’s Park while McGuinness explained that the likes of Ciaran Moore, Oisin Gallen, Daire Ó Baoill and Michael Murphy should all be back in contention for that encounter with the Kingdom.

The visitors held the slightest of advantages at 2-11 to 3-7 headed for the changing rooms at the weekend. 

But when Fionan Carolan pushed the hosts in front on 49 minutes at 3-13 to 2-15, a seismic shock seemed like it could be on the cards.

However, the decisive moment in this one arrived on 56 minutes when a roaming Rory Beggan was turned over and with Jason McGee sending the ball inside, Shea Malone eventually stroked home to the unguarded net. 

When Malone bagged his first three-pointer just six minutes in, Donegal were 1-3 to 0-1 clear and it looked like the visitors would ease through the gears. 

But Andrew Woods would net down the other side and when Monaghan rattled off 2-3 uninterrupted, they led by three, four minutes out from the break. 

Stephen O’Hanlon and Ryan O’Toole would grab the goals as Gabriel Bannigan’s side finally found some fight. 

A McGee two-pointer and a Jamie Brennan goal on the buzzer eventually sent Donegal in with their noses just about in front at 2-11 to 3-7.

Monaghan’s gave as good as they got and then some in the third quarter with Dessie Ward raising a third green flag before Fionan Carolan booting them in front. 

However, with Beggan looking to mount a counter from deep, Donegal turned over the home stopper and eventually bagged that crucial third goal.

Donegal would keep Monaghan at an arm’s length during the remainder as all attention quickly shifted to that eagerly anticipated renewal of acquaintances with Jack O’Connor’s Sam Maguire holders next Sunday. 

Monaghan scorers: Andrew Woods 1-3; Ryan O’Toole 1-1; Dessie Ward 0-3, 1tp; Stephen O’Hanlon 1-0; Rory Beggan 0-2,1 tp; Jack McCarron 0-2, 1f; Aaron Carey, Louis Kelly, Micheal Bannigan, Ryan Wylie and Fionan Carolan 0-1 each. 

Donegal scorers: Shea Malone 2-3; Jason McGee 0-5, 1tp; Michael Langan 0-5, 1f; Jamie Brennan 1-0; Conor O’Donnell 0-2; Caolan McColgan, Sean Martin, Finnbarr Roarty, Eoghan Ban Gallagher and Peadar Mogan 0-1 each. 

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Darragh McElearney, Ryan O’Toole, Ryan Wylie; Darragh Treanor, Dessie Ward,, Aaron Carey; Louis Kelly, Karl Gallagher; Fionan Carolan, Micheal Bannigan, Oisin McGorman; David Garland, Andrew Woods, Stephen O’Hanlon. 

Subs: Shane Hanratty and Cameron Dowd for Treanor and Kelly (both ht), Jack McCarron for McGorman (44), Robbie Hanratty for Woods (53), Ryan Mohan for Ward (56). 

Donegal: Gavin Mulreany; Caolan McColgan, Brendan McCole, Mark Curran; Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Caolan McGonagle, Sean Martin; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Paul O’Hare, Jamie Brennan, Peadar Mogan; Conor O’Donnell, Jason McGee, Shea Malone. 

Subs: Ryan McHugh and Shane O’Donnell for O’Hare and Gallagher (both ht), Eoin McHugh for Brennan (51), Finnbarr Roarty for Martin (56), Seanan Carr for McCole (68), Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride for Mulreany (69). 

Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone).