Donegal are out of this year’s All-Ireland senior football championship after they were soundly beaten by Armagh in Clones in Sunday’s All-Ireland football round two qualifier.
Armagh won on a final scoreline of 3-17 to 0-16.
The Orchard County were full value for the win – and had the ball in the Donegal net within 10 seconds of the throw-in, through a delightful finish from Rory Grugan.
Donegal responded with six unanswered points to move three points clear with Michael Murphy operating to good effect on the edge of the square in the opening 20 minutes.
However, two stray Donegal kick-outs towards the end of the first half turned the contest on his head – with goalkeeper Shaun Patton giving away a penalty and getting a black card.
Rian O’Neill converted the spot kick and Armagh led by 2-8 to 0-10 at the interval.
The second-half was one-way traffic as Armagh scored freely and Stephen Sheridan added a third goal to kill off the game as a contest.
Armagh now join Mayo, Cork and Clare in Monday morning’s draw for the All-Ireland senior football quarter-finals – along with the four provincial winners, Derry, Galway, Kerry and Dublin.
All-Ireland SFC qualifier – round two results
Armagh 3-17 Donegal 0-16
Cork 2-18 Limerick 1-16
Mayo 2-13 Kildare 0-14
Clare 2-15 Roscommon 1-17
All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals
Galway 0-10 Dublin 0-7
Mayo 3-18 Kildare 3-12.
