Summary

  • FT: Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21

  • Caolan McGonagle nets for Donegal in the first half

  • Daniel Guinness thumps home a stunning goal for Down and Miceal Rooney hits the net twice late on

  • Conor Laverty's side face Armagh on 3 May

Live Reporting

Odhran Crumley

  1. Ulster delivers its shock

    FT: Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21

    For the third week on the spin, we've had a shock in the provincial football championships.

    Leitrim beating Sligo was big, Westmeath's victory over Meath bigger again, but Down's win over Donegal today is huge.

    The Mournemen now march into a semi-final against Armagh next Sunday and if the attacking play from both sides over the past two days is anything to go by, we are in for a treat.

    Donegal's dreams of three in a row in Ulster are now over, but don't write of Jim McGuinness' men yet in the race for Sam Maguire.

    It's been a thrilling afternoon and we've loved bringing it to you.

    We're back with the semi-finals next week with Derry v Monaghan first up on Saturday.

    Until then, have a great rest of your Sunday and week ahead.

  2. 'We felt it was ripe for an ambush' - Laverty

    FT: Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21

    Down manager Conor Laverty speaking to GAA+: "We've been close over the past few years.

    "Armagh under the old rules in 2024 when we executed a game-plan but Jason Duffy kicked a score at the last and late on against Donegal last year we felt we had chances to win.

    "This group has grown over the past number of years and they have put their lives on hold over the last four weeks. We've been together 10 days in a row studying Donegal, leaving no stone unturned.

    "I said to them leaving the hotel this morning I fully believe we would win. I asked them at half-time if they were behind me and they said they fully believed they would get over the line."

    On their extra-time win over Wexford in the Division Three final: "The league final was good for us.

    "Sitting in Croke Park on Sunday and Donegal are beating Kerry [in the Division One final], I said coming up the road it couldn't be set any better for an ambush in Letterkenny.

    "We were probably disrespectful of Wexford so there was no celebrating in the dressing room as we were a bit disappointed with our performance, but what a performance they've put on today.

    "Letterkenny is tough place to come but the effort the boys have put in came to fruition today."

  3. Murdock named man of the match

    FT: Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21

    Odhran Murdock has been one of the stand-outs and it's no surprise he is names man of the match.

  4. Faith Harper
    BBC Sport NI at O'Donnell Park

    Woah! What a performance from this Down team.

    They've been fantastic from start to finish today.

    The Donegal fans are starting to make their way of out of O'Donnell Park.

    This is proper Ulster Championship stuff!

  5. Full-time

    Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21

    Liam Kerr fists over for Down as Shea Malone lands a two-pointer on the hooter.

    The Division Three champions have beaten the Division One champions - this is a monumental shock at O'Donnell Park.

    Down were absolutely full value for their win; they were incredible. Special mentions to Daniel Guinness and Odhran Murdock.

    Down advance to meet neighbours Armagh in next Sunday's semi-final.

    FT: Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21Inpho

    FT: Donegal 1-21 Down 3-21

  6. Donegal 1-19 Down 3-20

    Stephen McMenamin kicks a wide for Donegal.

  7. Donegal 1-19 Down 3-20

    The Donegal fans are streaming out of O'Donnell Park in huge numbers.

  8. Donegal 1-19 Down 3-20

    Donegal thought they had a goal as Caolan McGonagle hit the net but the ball had already gone wide as the umpire signals.

    Two left to play.

  9. Faith Harper
    BBC Sport NI in O'Donnell Park

    Donegal really miss Michael Lagan out around the 40m arc - a two-point merchant for Jim McGuinness' side.

    They've only had two, two-pointers from play today, thanks to Jason McGee and Peader Mogan.

  10. goal

    Goal for Down (Miceal Rooney)

    Donegal 1-19 Down 3-20

    Down win the kick-out and Liam Kerr squares it to Miceal Rooney who punches to the net.

  11. Donegal 1-19 Down 2-20

    What a run from Daniel Guinness, he was shrugged off numerous challenges to fire over.

  12. Donegal 1-19 Down 2-19

    Donegal reply with a two-pointer from Peadar Mogan.

    Two to play.

  13. goal

    Goal for Down (Micael Rooney)

    Donegal 1-17 Down 2-19

    Ceilium Doherty slips it to Micael Rooney who rounds Gavin Mulreaney to fire to the net!

  14. Donegal 1-17 Down 1-19

    Odhran Murdock is turned over high up the field and he feels he was fouled.

    Conor O'Donnell kicks it over at the other end.

    That could be a massive play.

    Six to play.

  15. Donegal 1-16 Down 1-19

    Gavin Mulreaney finds Michael Murphy with a short kick-out.

    The Tir Chonaill men hold the ball for a sustained period before Max Campbell balloons a shot into the air and Down can counter attack.

  16. Donegal 1-16 Down 1-19

    Pat Havern taps it over.

    Ryan Magill for Pearse McPolin on the Down team.

  17. Donegal 1-16 Down 1-18

    Down win the Donegal kick-out.

    Liam Kerr is brought down and it's a 13-metre free for Down.

  18. Donegal 1-16 Down 1-18

    Ten left to play.

  19. Donegal 1-16 Down 1-18

    Jamie Doran kicks Down's eighth wide.

    Shea Malone is in for Donegal as Oisin Gallen makes way.

  20. Donegal 1-16 Down 1-18

    Daniel Guinness wins the breaking ball from Odhran Murdock from their own kick-out.

    Down attack and Adam Crimmins shoots under pressure to find the point.

    Mark Curran replaces Eoghan Ban Gallagher on the Donegal team.