Donegal 0-16 Derry 0-15
Donegal are through to the last four of the Ulster Senior Football Championship thanks to a heroic point from Patrick McBrearty’s in the final moments which secures The Hills place in the semi-finals.
Rory Gallagher’s Derry were dogged throughout and fought for every ball against the green and gold of Donegal who proved too strong in the end.
The Oakleafs have been given a new lease of life under Gallagher’s stewardship not to mention the fact of how Conor Glass - who returned from Australia in recent months – has spurred the Ulster County on.
Derry looked to have done a job on Donegal in Ballybofey earlier this afternoon, but Michael Murphy came off the bench to inspire Declan Bonner’s men to victory.
The game was certainly the game of the summer as far as the Ulster Championship is concerned and the recent success certainly went down well in the hills of Donegal.
“An excellent game of football it was between Donegal and Derry this afternoon,” Paul McCloskey admits on Twitter after the full time whistle.
“Great to see fans back at GAA matches, especially my daddy who is a lifelong Donegal supporter. Up Donegal,” Mags Staunton says on Twitter.
“What a match between Donegal and Derry,” says Daniel Smith on social media.
“Paddy McBrearty with a 74 th minute winner from 40 metres out to win it 0-16 to 0-15.
“Reminded me of Kevin Cassidy’s winner against Kildare in 2011.”
Derry was left frustrated and had chances to put the game beyond doubt but a lack of composure in front of goal proved costly for Gallagher’s side who are back from the brinks of Division Four.
Shane McGuigan was at the heart of all things good for Derry whilst skipper Chrissy McKaigue put in a superb shift to keep McBrearty at bay until the last few seconds.
Derry fans are frustrated but seem to be on the cusp of a return to better days in county football.
“In fairness nobody gave Derry a chance today but the players gave their all. Derry GAA are going places,” a bullish Gerald Diamond says on Twitter.
Sean Mullan added: “Derry Done well. Congratulations to Donegal. Some soft frees but proud to be a Derry fan today.”
Donegal's victory sets up a tantalising semi-final encounter with Tyrone next weekend and the winners will face either Armagh or Monaghan in the decider, with a place in the All-Ireland semi-finals on the line.
Donegal: S Patton, E McHugh, N McGee, S McMenamin, R McHugh, O McFadden Ferry, E Ban Gallagher, H McFadden, C McGonigle (0-2), C Thompson, N O'Donnell (0-3), M Langan (0-3), P McBrearty (0-3), J Brennan (0-2), E O'Donnell.
Substitutes: M Lynch, J McGee, B McCole, P Morgan, P Brennan (0-1), M Murphy (0-2), C O'Donnell, D O'Baoill, P McGrath, O MacNiallais, O Gallen.
Derry: O Lynch, C McKaigue, B Rogers, P McGrogan, Padraig Cassidy (0-1), G McKinless (0-1), C Doherty (0-1), C Glass (0-1), E Bradley (0-1), E Doherty, N Loughlin (0-1), C McFaul (0-3), B Heron (0-2), S McGuigan (0-4), Paul Cassidy.
Substitutes: C Bradley, P McNeill, C McCluskey, S Downey, J Doherty, M McEvoy, C McShane, O McWilliams, N Toner, B McCarron, K McKaigue.
