Armagh 2-10 Donegal 1-09
Defending champions Armagh will meet Tyrone in the All-Ireland final after defeating a brave Donegal side by 2-10 to 1-09 in a pulsating semi-final at Croke Park this afternoon.
The Orchard County looked to have left it too late after squandering the lion's share of possession and shooting countless wides, both from play and from frees, but rallied in the last quarter against a 14-man Donegal to win by four points.
Armagh took the game to Donegal after Raymond Sweeney was dismissed early in the second half following his second yellow card offence.
Donegal fought bravely but were struggling to stop the defensive gaps. And when Philip Loughlin fisted over to edge Armagh in front two minutes into injury time the writing was on the wall as Armagh's Kieran McGeeney and co. defended doggedly to prevent an equaliser.
Donegal's desperation, as is so often the case, left gaping holes in the defence and they were cruelly exploited in the final minute of added time when Paddy McKeever who found himself one-on-one with Tony Blake in the Donegal goal.
Despite McKeever directing the ball into the top corner after being bundled over by Blake, play was called back to give Oisin McConville a penalty chance. McConville, who misfired on numerous occasions throughout the game, made no mistake from the spot.
The tie began in a predictably wily manner with the crowd having to wait until the sixth minute before Donegal Christy Toye expertly pointed off his left side to open the scoring.
McConville replied with his first score from his second free in front of the posts moments later to restore parity.
Armagh looked to have the measure of their opponents in centre field and soon began to enjoy more possession. However, the All-Ireland champions were soon struggling for ideas on how to use the ball despite taking a slender lead when Paul McGrane found his range.
In contrast, with the little possession they had, Donegal looked assured of what was required of them. A slick move inspired by powerful running from Brendan Devenney soon emphasised this. Devenney found Adrian Sweeney in space at the far post and though a goal looked to be on for the Donegal captain he settled for firing it over the bar to level the score.
McConville edged the holders briefly in front with his second converted free before Devenney levelled matters and with another he put Donegal into the lead.
Frustration was growing for Armagh and no doubt for the helpless Joe Kernan on the sideline as he watched his side shoot nine wides, compared to Donegal's 100 per cent strike rate, in the opening half an hour.
Donegal were soon on the mark again after some neat hand passing through the middle and up as far Toye who made no mistake with his right boot, drilling low and hard to the 'keeper's right.
Armagh could only muster a point in response through Diarmuid Marsden before going into the break 1-4 to 0-4 behind.
The opening minutes of the second period looked to be going well for Donegal as Sweeney picked up where he left off, pointing another early on.
But when Raymond Sweeney was given his marching orders for a clumsy, rather than malicious tackle, Donegal were suddenly facing a hellish half hour.
Immediately buoyed by the decision, Armagh made their mark with the resulting free kick converted by McConville.
Sweeney repeatedly maintained the three point gap as Steven McDonald and McConville pointed again but when McDonald found himself under a deep high ball he made no mistake in making it his and bursting the net with a neat finish under Blake.
Brendan Devenney dragged Donegal back in front but the momentum was always with the champions. McKeever scored another point as Sweeney did his best to keep his side in the tie with his fourth free but Loughlin's punch over the bar and McConville's penalty confirmed the inevitable.
Armagh cheers greeted the final whistle seconds later and disconsolate Donegal bodies dropped to the Croke Park turf in disbelief.