Monaghan v Donegal on Twitter: ‘Monaghan blessed to be still in this’

THERE WERE SCENES of celebration at St Mary’s Park in Castleblanyney yesterday as referee Rory Hickey’s final whistle confirmed Donegal’s progression to the Division 1 semi-finals.

The pitch invasion, though, was from the home supporters and a consequence of Monaghan coming from seven points down to overcome Donegal 1-10 to 1-9 to survive in the top-flight.

Photo caption: Martin McElhinney of Donegal bursts through the Monaghan defence at St Mary’s Park in Castleblayney to score the opening goal in yesterday’s Allianz Football League Division 1 meeting of the sides. Photo: Geraldine Diver

It was a bit of a bitter-sweet afternoon for Donegal, whose opening three victories in this year’s league – followed by four losses – was still enough to progress to the last four where they take on Dublin on Sunday at Croke Park.

And that’s what was reflected on Twitter as well.

Preparing for battle in ‘Blayney. Monaghan need to win to stay up. Donegal need to win to be sure of semi-final pic.twitter.com/Jz40dibJsY

— Mark Gallagher (@bailemg) April 3, 2016

Monaghan 1-0 Donegal 1-4 after 20 minutes. Two goals in a minute from Martin McElhinney and Daniel McKenna. #GAA

— Pat Nolan (@pat_nolan) April 3, 2016

Donegal pressing up on Rory Beggan's kick-outs, causing problems for Monaghan. Martin McElhinney's goal came from one of those kick-outs

— Mark Gallagher (@bailemg) April 3, 2016

Monaghan blessed to be still in this. Donegal much more forceful. 1-5 to 1-1 after 23 minutes.

— Malachy Clerkin (@MalachyClerkin) April 3, 2016

Michael Shields straight red. Kerry lead 0-18 to 1-11 (69). McManus equalises for Monaghan v Donegal. Down to points difference?

— Tony Leen (@tonyleen) April 3, 2016

Colin Walshe’s injury time winner secures Division 1 football for 2017!

— Monaghan GAA (@monaghangaa) April 3, 2016

Monaghan/Donegal match in a nutshell: me nerves

— Adrianna Keenan (@adikeenan) April 3, 2016

Seriously damaging psychological loss for Donegal. Poor poor poor. Had the chance to turn the screw on Monaghan ahead of Ulster.

— Niall McCauley (@Nially1988) April 3, 2016

Allianz National Football League Division One Monaghan 1-10 Donegal 1-9. pic.twitter.com/1ze3ijPvDG

— Eunan Doherty (@eunandoherty) April 3, 2016

Certainties in life… Death, taxes, Monaghan beating Donegal. #GAA #SurvivalSunday

— Niall Waters (@niallwaters) April 3, 2016

Expect a lot of teams to try emulate Donegal next year by just winning their first 3 matches to qualify for semi-final..#gaa #leaguesunday

— Sean Perry (@perry_sean) April 3, 2016

3 Ulster border counties;Monaghan, Donegal and Cavan, in Allianz Division 1. Is that a first? #GAA #RTEgaa #monaghangaa #cavan #donegalgaa

— Colm Wallace (@dr_serious2) April 3, 2016

Counties to be involved in Div.1 of 2017 Allianz Football League … interesting. #GAA @Kerry_Official @GAA_BEO pic.twitter.com/HVCsarQrAj

— Pat Duffy (@PODubhaigh) April 3, 2016

People criticised Donegal’s defensive set-up against Dublin last week, but avoiding a tanking there got them into semis on score difference.

— Peter Sweeney (@Sweeney_Peter) April 3, 2016

Hopefully Donegal will get a home game next week in the semi final v Dublin. Why couldn't it be in Ballybofey? #GAA

— Chris McNulty (@chrismcnulty86) April 3, 2016

Dublin v Donegal at 4pm Sunday. Booing scheduled to start at 4.03pm.

— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) April 4, 2016

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