Football Qualifiers Round-Up

All Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier Round One:
Monaghan 0-13 Armagh 0-12 (AET)

Glorious points from Conor McManus and Paul Finlay in the second period of extra-time gave Monaghan a 0-13 to 0-12 win over 14-man Armagh in a fractious encounter at Clones.

The Orchard County were always up against it after Steven McDonnell was sent off on 66 minutes. Monaghan used the extra man to their advantage, finishing much the stronger in a disappointing game.

The Farney County move on to Round Two of the Qualifiers, while Peter McDonnell will have some serious thinking to do after the Ulster champions’ Championship campaign ended at the first knock-out stage.

Finlay finished with six points (0-3f), but he was nearly left to rue a number of misses from frees in the second half.

Monaghan trailed by two points – 0-6 to 0-4 – at the break after three Aaron Kernan frees helped Armagh to take control after they had trailed 0-4 to 0-1 after just 14 minutes.

However, Monaghan failed to score in the remaining 21 minutes of the half and looked to be in real trouble.

But Finlay stepped up to the mark and drew his side level with two points immediately after the restart. In a tetchy second period, the sides were level on five occasions before Finlay edged Monaghan ahead with five minutes left.

McDonnell was then given his marching orders after tangling with JP Mone, but sub Stefan Forker grabbed a late free to send the game to extra-time.

Forker and McManus exchanged frees in the first half of extra time, but Monaghan came good after the brief break in the increasing gloom and it was Finlay and McManus who found the scores to send them through to the next round.

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All Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier Round One:
Donegal 2-13 Carlow 1-6

Donegal were given a scare by Carlow in Ballybofey before eventually securing their passage to round two of the Qualifiers.

A JJ Smith goal after ten minutes put Carlow into a shock 1-1 to 0-2 lead and John Joe Doherty’s side looked to be in real trouble.

However, they did manage to go in level at the break, 0-6 to 1-3. A Rory Kavanagh goal on the resumption of play put Donegal back on track.

Conal Dunne added a second in the 19th minute of the second half before veteran Carlow defender Mark Carpenter was given his marching orders for a second yellow card and the home side took complete control of the game.

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All Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier Round One:
Wicklow 0-17 Fermanagh 0-11

Wicklow overcame the dismissals of Tony Hannon and James Stafford to record a shock win over Fermanagh at Aughrim.

Mick O’Dwyer’s side went into the game without half of their regular defence, but they made light of the situation to record a stunning and surprising win.

A James Sherry goal had seen the Erne men go in 1-5 to 0-7 up at the break and the Garden County looked in deep trouble after free-taker Hannon had been sent off for a second yellow card offence.

However, with Paul Earls and Seanie Furlong to the fore, the home side scored a famous win with a powerful second half performance.

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All Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier Round One:
Down 1-16 London 1-7

Down had nine points to spare over London in Newry to progress to round two of the Qualifiers.

Galway native Chris Donnellan netted a second half goal for London to leave them trailing by six points and dreaming of causing a massive shock.

However Ross Carr’s side then moved into top gear when Danny Hughes scored two quick points and then Benny Coulter palmed to the net after 26 second half minutes.

Ronan Sexton added another point for Down and the Exiles’ 32-year wait for  Championship win must go on.