13.
And sinceAlthough there have been no official All-Ireland quarter-finals since 2017, in recent times Donegal were within a whisker of a place in the last four. In 2018, the Super Eights clash, which was in all but name an All-Ireland quarter-final against Tyrone with the winners progressing, saw Declan Bonner's Ulster champions lose out. Mickey Harte’s team, who knew a draw would suffice as a result of their superior scoring difference, were 1-11 to 0-10 down, with Michael Murphy the goalscorer, midway through the second half but managed to outscore their hosts 2-7 to 0-2 in the final 15 minutes plus injury time. Substitute Harry Loughran tucked home from close range to swing the balance of power towards Tyrone following a fisted pass by Tiarnan McCann on 62 minutes. Declan McClure added a second Tyrone goal with the final kick of the match for a 2-17 to 1-13 victory in Ballybofey. A year later in 2019, Donegal, who had retained their provincial crown, went to MacHale Park in Castlebar knowing a draw would be enough. However, despite losing twice beforehand in the championship, Mayo reached the semi-finals thanks to a powerful performance against a Donegal side who had not lost until then. Mayo had Donegal chasing for the most part and won out 1-14 to 1-10 in the end. Then, in 2020, with no backdoor due to the pandemic and an Ulster final played in front of an almost empty Athletic Grounds in November, the winners of Donegal against Cavan would progress to the All-Ireland semi-finals. Donegal, heavy favourites, lost out 1-13 to 0-12 with Conor Madden hitting a late goal to end Declan Bonner's team's dreams and clinch a 40th Ulster crown - and a first in 23 years - for the Breffni County.