Donegal produced a performance of conviction on Saturday night in Navan to beat All-Ireland champions Meath on a final scoreline of 1-10 to 0-12 and finish top of Group 2 of the TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship.
The win earns Donegal a home All-Ireland quarter-final in two week’s time.
Their opponents will be Group 3 runners up Dublin.
It’s the third season in a row that Donegal face the Dubs in the knockout stages.
Donegal beat Dublin by 3-7 to 1-7 last season while the Dubs were victorious in their championship encounter two years ago.
Niamh Hegarty’s well-taken first-half goal proved to be the key score in the end as Maxi Curran’s side battled courageously throughout the hour to edge to victory.
Before the throw-in, both teams returned to the dressing rooms to delay the start of the match, in protest at the lack of development by the three man gaelic governing bodies, the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association on various player welfare issues.
Players from @DonegalLGFA & @meathladiesMLGF return to the changing room before throw in to register their protest.
Players asking @officialgaa @LadiesFootball & @OfficialCamogie to implement a squad charter to guarantee minimum standards.#UnitedForEquality
video > @SportTG4 pic.twitter.com/UyivBzKlE9— GPA (@gaelicplayers) July 1, 2023
Donegal captain Niamh McLaughlin spoke to Ocean FM Sport’s Paddy McGill after Saturday night’s win.
TG4 All-Ireland SFC Group 2 result
Meath 0-12 Donegal 1-10
All-Ireland 1/4 final draw
Donegal v Dublin
Kerry v Meath
Armagh v Cork
Galway v Mayo
Semi-final pairings
Donegal/Dublin v Armagh/Cork
Kerry/Meath v Galway/Mayo
