Donegal boss Monaghan in second-half to return to All-Ireland SFC semi-finals

June 28, 2025

Donegal's Conor O'Donnell shoots to score a point despite Conor McCarthy of Monaghan ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Donegal delivered the second-half goods at Croke Park this afternoon to defeat Monaghan by 1-26 to 1-20 and move into the All-Ireland senior football championship semi-finals for the second successive year.

The Ulster champions were rocked by their Farney counterparts in the opening half at headquarters, trailing by 0-9 to 0-8 when Micheál Bannigan netted the game’s first goal after a wayward kick-out by Shaun Patton in the Tir Chonaill men’s goal.

Two-pointers by Andrew Woods and ‘keeper Rory Beggan would increase the Monaghan advantage to seven by half-time (1-15 to 0-11), but Jim McGuinness’s charges went on to thoroughly dominate proceedings after the break.

Michael Murphy (free) and Oisin Gallen sent over points early in the restart, which would be erased by Stephen O’Hanlon and Conor McCarthy at the other end, prior to Donegal really upping it a gear with a Shane O’Donnell point being backed up by a terrific Michael Langan goal on 46 minutes.

The rangy midfielder ‘one-twoed’ his way through the Monaghan full-back line before sending a rocket into the roof of Beggan’s net, which cut his side’s deficit down to two points.

McGuinness’s men would get it level by the 53rd minute and the one-way traffic continued with veteran Murphy (2, 1 free), Peader Mogan and substitute Paddy McBrearty (2) all sailing over scores that ensured Donegal’s victory, with Monaghan’s attack being limited to just 0-5 throughout the entire second-half.


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