What next? A history of when Donegal go on the rebound

2018 – Mayo's 12 Steps to Heaven
In Declan Bonner’s first year back in his second tenure as Donegal manager, his side suffered a controversial relegation at the hands of Mayo, who stayed in Division 1 following a 0-13 to 0-13 draw in Ballybofey.

Donegal had been three points up with just six minutes to play but Mayo kept in touch through five Conor Loftus frees in all and three scores from Andy Moran.

Mayo got back to within just a point through corner-back Eoghan O’Donoghue and Patrick McBrearty, who had impressed with four points, saw an effort fall short in injury time. Mayo took advantage to level it, although Kevin McLoughlin’s equaliser would later be dubbed “12 steps to heaven” amid calls of overcarry.

It wasn’t to be for Donegal, whose only Division 1 win came against a whitewashed Kildare, although they brushed themselves down to defeat Cavan, Derry, Down and Fermanagh to win a first Ulster SFC since 2014.

In the first year of the ‘Super Eights’ Donegal lost out in their opening fixture at the ‘neutral’ Croke Park against Dublin before defeating Roscommon at Hyde Park. It meant the clash with Tyrone in the final match of the series was an All-Ireland quarter-final in all but name. And although a goal from Michael Murphy helped Donegal into a 1-11 to 0-10 lead late on, Mickey Harte’s side outscored Donegal 2-7 to 0-2 in the final 15 minutes with Harry Loughran and Declan McClure grabbing late goals to seal a 2-17 to 1-13 Red Hands win.

“We were three points up at half time,” defender Paddy McGrath said afterwards. “But we just didn't kick on. The young lads really stepped up to go four up but it was a tight game. I would now like to see them pushing on in such games as there's a chance of them bringing it to another level.”