Donegal demonstrated their championship pedigree with a commanding 2-22 to 0-12 victory over Louth in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship preliminary quarter-final at Páirc Seán MacCumhaill, Ballybofey, on June 22, 2025. After a cautious first half where Louth kept the Ulster champions on their toes, Donegal unleashed a powerful second-half surge to secure their place in the quarter-finals, setting up a tantalizing clash with either Meath or Monaghan, with the draw scheduled for the following morning on RTÉ Radio 1.
The match began under a heavy atmosphere with a large crowd of 15,369 in attendance. Donegal made three changes from their previous line-up, including Jason McGee’s first championship start of the year at centre-field, replacing Hugh McFadden. Louth also made two changes, bringing in Paul Matthews and Dan Corcoran. From the outset, the game was a tight affair, with Donegal taking an early lead through a mix of sharpshooting and team effort.
Peadar Mogan opened the scoring for Donegal within three minutes, and the home side quickly built a 0-5 to 0-1 advantage inside the first 15 minutes courtesy of five different scorers, including Finnbarr Roarty, who impressed both defensively and offensively. However, Louth, inspired by corner-forward Ryan Burns, fought back vigorously. Burns scored four points in the first half, while Craig Lennon and Dara McDonnell also contributed to keep Louth within touching distance.
Despite Donegal’s early dominance, Louth’s resilience was evident. At one point, the teams were level at 0-6 apiece, thanks largely to Burns’ clinical finishing. Yet just before halftime, Donegal’s Conor O’Donnell broke through the Louth defense to score a crucial goal. This strike, set up by a precise kick-out from goalkeeper Shaun Patton and a clever flick-on by Ciarán Moore, gave Donegal a narrow 1-6 to 0-7 lead going into the break.
As the second half commenced, the momentum swung decisively in Donegal’s favor. Louth’s Sam Mulroy opened the scoring after the restart with a free, but Donegal quickly took control. Michael Murphy, who had earlier struggled with a couple of misses, found his rhythm and nailed a brilliant two-pointer, igniting the crowd and signaling the start of Donegal’s dominance.
On the 52nd minute, Ciarán Thompson, marking his 50th championship appearance, scored a spectacular goal to put Donegal firmly in command. Receiving a crossfield pass from Oisin Gallen, Thompson’s low shot found the net, extending Donegal’s lead to 2-11 to 0-9. This goal effectively sealed the contest and showcased Thompson’s experience and composure, having played in every Senior Football Championship game for Donegal since his debut in 2016.
Donegal’s second-half performance was clinical, outscoring Louth 1-16 to 0-5. Their defense executed flawlessly, setting traps and forcing turnovers that Louth struggled to recover from. Oisin Gallen was a standout performer, finishing with five points and consistently threatening the Louth backline. His sharp shooting and ball control were pivotal in keeping Donegal’s attack fluid and effective.
Throughout the match, Donegal displayed a remarkable breadth of scoring options, with twelve different players contributing to the scoreboard. Besides Gallen and Thompson, Conor O’Donnell added 1-2, Michael Langan contributed 0-3 including a two-pointer, and Dáire Ó Baoill, Finnbarr Roarty, and others chipped in key points. This diversity underscored Donegal’s depth and versatility, making them a formidable opponent moving forward.
Louth, despite their spirited start and flashes of promise, were ultimately outclassed in the second half. Their earlier efforts, including points from Paul Matthews, Craig Lennon, Dara McDonnell, Peter Lynch, and Ciarán Downey, were not enough to stem Donegal’s tide. Notably, Peter Lynch was shown a black card following an altercation, which further hampered Louth’s ability to mount a comeback.
The game also featured moments of intensity and tactical battles. Michael Murphy received a yellow card in the first half, and Donegal registered eleven wides, including several shots that fell short, signaling room for improvement. Nevertheless, their overall execution was too strong for Louth to overcome.
Jim McGuinness’s Donegal side, Ulster champions and known for their tactical discipline, will now prepare for their quarter-final clash, with the draw set to take place on June 23, 2025, at 8:30 AM. The comprehensive victory sends a clear message to the remaining contenders: Donegal are in fine form and a team to watch in this year’s championship.
Reflecting on the match, it was a tale of two halves. The first was competitive and tense, with Louth showing they could challenge one of the country’s top teams. The second half, however, was a showcase of Donegal’s championship experience, skill, and depth. Their ability to raise the tempo, execute precise plays, and maintain defensive solidity proved decisive.
As the fans poured onto the field at the final whistle, the atmosphere was electric. Donegal’s players celebrated a well-earned victory after a hard-fought contest, while Louth will look to build on the positives from their spirited performance in the first half. Their recent achievements, including winning their first Leinster SFC title in 68 years and a win over Clare in the previous round, highlight a team on the rise, though more work lies ahead to compete at the national level.
Donegal’s lineup featured the likes of goalkeeper Shaun Patton, defenders Finnbarr Roarty and Brendan McCole, midfielders Jason McGee and Michael Langan, and forwards including Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen, and Conor O’Donnell. Substitutions such as Hugh McFadden, Dáire Ó Baoill, and Patrick McBrearty added fresh legs and maintained the team’s intensity late on.
Louth’s starting fifteen included Niall McDonnell in goal, defenders Daire Nally and Dermot Campbell, midfielders Emmet Carolan and Peter Craig, and forwards Ryan Burns and Sam Mulroy, who were the key contributors on the scoreboard. Despite their efforts, they were unable to match Donegal’s second-half firepower and tactical nous.
Referee Barry Cassidy from Derry officiated the game, managing the flow and ensuring fair play throughout the intense contest.
With this victory, Donegal advances confidently into the quarter-finals, where they will be a daunting prospect for any opponent. Their blend of experience, tactical discipline, and scoring variety marks them as one of the teams to beat in this year’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
