Donegal knock Tyrone out, Mayo set up Roscommon showdown
Tyrone are out of the championship after a two-point loss to Donegal in Ulster. Mickey Harte's side join Monaghan on the list of high-profile early casualties in the race for the Sam Maguire Cup. Meanwhile, Mayo and Tipperary were among the winners around the country.
Last Updated: 02/11/20 8:54am
A round-up of Sunday's Football Championship action, with matches taking place across all four provinces.
Donegal 1-13 Tyrone 1-11
There was a great deal of talk in recent weeks about how 'winter football' would impact the championship. We got our answer on Sunday afternoon. Played in dreadful conditions as Páirc Mhic Chumhaill in Ballybofey, Donegal vs Tyrone was a real war of attrition. The cross-field wind caused issues for both sides' shooting, while the rain slowed down the tempo.
It was the Red Hands who adapted better in the early stages. Darren McCurry, Mattie Donnelly and Conor McKenna were instrumental as they took a 0-5 to 0-1 lead into the first-half water-break.
However, the home side dominated the second quarter.
A long kick-out from Shaun Patton found Peadar Mogan, who played in Michael Langan. The St Michael's club man made no mistake, blasting it past Niall Morgan. Further points from Paul and Jamie Brennan, as well as Ciarán Thompson, helped them into a 1-5 to 0-6 lead at the break.
The conditions became an even more significant factor in the second half, and Tyrone were the ones restart stronger. Darragh Canavan announced himself on the senior championship scene with a well-taken point, and seconds later pounced for a goal.
The Errigal Ciaráin man capitalised on a handling error from Eoghan Bán Gallagher, and slid it into Patton's net.
But the Tír Chonaill men responded brightly, with four consecutive points to retake the lead. It was an advantage they would not relinquish, as Donegal gritted their teeth and fought their way over the line.
Mickey Harte's side failed to kick on from Canavan's 42nd-minute goal, scoring just two further points.
Tyrone are out of the championship. Donegal will face Armagh in the Ulster Championship semi-final, a game that will be live and exclusive on Sky Sports.
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Stephen McMenamin, Neil McGee, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Ryan McHugh, Paul Brennan (0-1), Peadar Mogan; Hugh McFadden, Caolan McGonigle; Ciarán Thompson (0-7 - 0-5 frees), Niall O'Donnell, Michael Langan (1-2); Jeaic McKelvey, Michael Murphy, Jamie Brennan (0-2).
Subs: Oisin Gallen (0-1)
Tyrone: Niall Morgan (0-1 - 0-1 45); Liam Rafferty, Ronan McNamee, Frank Burns (0-1); Tiernan McCann, Michael O'Neill, Michael McKernan; Brian Kennedy, Mattie Donnelly (0-1); Kieran McGeary, Conor McKenna (0-1 - 0-1 free), Conor Meyler; Darren McCurry (0-3 - 0-1 free), Peter Harte (0-1), Darragh Canavan (1-1).
Subs: Mark Bradley (0-2)
Derry 0-15 Armagh 0-17
The Orchard County are through to the last four, after seeing off a second-half fightback from Rory Gallagher's side.
Kieran McGeeney's team led by five at the break, but the Oak Leaf County came charging back and narrowed the margin to a single point in injury-time. However, Rian O'Neill popped up with a late score to seal the two-point win, and ensure progression to the provincial semi-final.
Following last week's promotion to Division 1, Armagh will be hopeful ahead of their showdown with Donegal in two weeks' time.
Leitrim 0-10 Mayo 2-15
Goals from Tommy Conroy and Cillian O'Connor either side of half-time helped Mayo set up a Connacht Championship semi-final against Roscommon, after a hard-fought win over Leitrim.
James Horan's side found themselves facing a real challenge, as the home team built a 0-4 to 0-0 lead in the early stages at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada.
However, Mayo's class began to show as they slowly established a foothold to lead 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.
Ballintubber star O'Connor's three-pointer after the break put daylight between the teams, as Mayo finished strongly to secure a 11-point win.
Tipperary 2-11 Clare 1-11
1-4 from Conor Sweeney saw Tipperary knock out Clare in the Munster Championship, as the Premier dug out a laboured win at Semple Stadium.
Sweeney found the net in the first half to help the home side to a 1-6 to 0-5 lead at the break. A Bill Maher goal then pushed Tipp further ahead. David Power's side held off a late Banner onslaught, as Gavin Cooney found the net to bring it back to three points.
Tipp will face Limerick in the Munster semi-final, after the Treaty beat Waterford on Saturday evening.
Leinster Football Championship
Offaly, Longford and Wicklow all progressed to the Leinster Championship quarter-finals.
The Faithful County overcame Carlow, 3-14 to 0-20. An early Darren Gallagher goal helped Longford past Louth, 1-9 to 1-7. Meanwhile, Davy Burke's charges backed up last week's win over Wexford in the National League promotion decider.
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