Dublin tear up script with extra-time win over Donegal; Monaghan blitz Westmeath to reach All-Ireland quarter-finals
Dublin survived an extra-time thriller against Donegal (2-26 to 2-22) after Michael Murphy's last-gasp two-point free forced added periods. Monaghan overpowered Leinster champions Westmeath (1-28 to 2-19) to book a last-eight spot.
Dublin v Donegal: extra-time drama
Dublin dumped Donegal out of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with a 2-26 to 2-22 win after extra-time at Croke Park. Paddy Small's 67th-minute goal gave Ger Brennan's men the lead and Lee Gannon followed up with a point to make it a two-point game. Michael Langan then cut the gap to one before referee Martin McNally advanced a free after Ross McGarry touched the ball on the ground, allowing Michael Murphy to stroke over the equaliser from the two-point arc and force an additional 20 minutes.
We tried to arrive with as many healthy bodies as possible, but we just didn't have enough in the bank. That's the bottom line.
The free sparked a melee: Murphy barged into Ciarán Kilkenny after scoring and was shown a black card alongside Jason McGee (Donegal) and Dublin pair Niall Scully and Theo Clancy before extra-time began. Dublin thrived without the Donegal talisman in the first extra period. Substitute Seán Guiden hit four points, including a two-pointer, and although Donegal kept in touch through a Gavin Mulreany two-point free, the Leinster side led by three at the changeover.
Ryan McHugh twice narrowed the gap to a single point in the second half of extra-time, but Dublin reasserted control. Injury exits for Con O'Callaghan and Paddy Small added to the evening's cost for Brennan's squad. Donegal manager Jim McGuinness reflected on a campaign that started with an Ulster loss to Down, beat Kerry in Killarney, then lost to Cork before this exit, saying his side lacked consistency.
Monaghan v Westmeath: second-half surge
In Clones, Monaghan reached the quarter-finals with a 1-28 to 2-19 victory over Westmeath. The sides were level at the break (0-15 to 2-9) after a breathless first half in which goalkeeper Rory Beggan landed three two-pointers and the Leinster champions replied with goals from Matthew Whittaker and Brandon Kelly.
Monaghan turned the screw after the restart. Jack McCarron netted in the 55th minute to swell the lead to seven points, and the Farney men never looked back, easing to a six-point win. Westmeath's memorable campaign ended at St Tiernach's Park.
