Dublin see off Donegal after extra-time thriller

Colm Basqel scored seven points in Dublin's win [Getty Images] Dublin advanced into the last eight of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship with a 2-26 to 2-22 win over Donegal after extra-time at Croke Park. It was a thrilling contest that seemed to be going the way of Ger Brennan's men late in normal time when Paddy Small hit the net, but a last-gasp two-point free from Michael Murphy sent the game into extra-time. Donegal had looked much better in the opening half with goals from Shea Malone and Peadar Mogan either side of a major by Dublin's Con O'Callaghan giving them the edge, but they just didn't seem to be able to find an extra gear to establish themselves in the second period. It was perhaps a microcosm of their championship campaign which began with a shock defeat by Down in Ulster, before storming past Kerry in the opening round of the All-Ireland SFC. However, their topsy-turvy form continued with defeat by Cork last week, while Dublin, who had suffered back-to-back losses in the Leinster final by Westmeath and then Louth in the Round One of the race for Sam Maguire, restored confidence with victory over Cavan last week. Ger Brennan's men seemed to grow in confidence as Sunday's game continued with key figures O'Callaghan, Paddy Small and Colm Basquel - who contributed 2-14 between them - producing the goods, while Sean Guiden's four points in the first period of extra-time proved the difference. Mogan goal gives Donegal the edge at half-time Mogan slots home Donegal's second goal [Getty Images] Dublin made a fine start with Con O'Callaghan slinging over a two-pointer in the second minute, but Donegal gradually settled and while it took until the ninth minute for Eoghan Ban Gallagher to get them off the mark, they began take control. Conor O'Donnell levelled with Peadar Mogan then punishing a stray Evan Comerford kick-out and Michael Langan added another as the Ulster side led after 16 minutes. Dublin were struggling to make much headway, but Colm Basquel ended a barren 14-minute spell and added another to level. After Langan restored the Donegal lead, the goal chances began to present themselves with Morgan blazing wide from an inviting position, but from the subsequent kick-out, Max Campbell intercepted and put Shea Malone who made no mistake, finishing to the roof of the net. Donegal could have had another goal immediately with Michael Murphy through but blasted too high. Dublin were rocking, but managed to steady with a pair of scores through Brian Howard and O'Callaghan and after Langan hit back with his third of the half, Cormac Costello had a sight of goal but fired over, while O'Callaghan fisted over his fourth point of the first half to narrow the gap to two. It was then Donegal goalkeeper Gavin Mulreaney's turn to slip up as he was punished late in the first half when Paddy Small intercepted a short kick-out and put O'Callaghan in for a simple finish. It appeared this would give the Dubs an advantage at the break, but in the final minute, Mulreaney went long with Murphy cleverly flicking on, setting Donegal away which resulted in Mogan taking a pass and finding the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-7 to 1-8 at the half. Murphy rescues Donegal after Small goal Small's late goal seemed to give Dublin a vital edge [Getty Images] The sides twice traded early in the second period before Donegal's half-time replacement Ryan McHugh gave his side a three-point lead. However, Dublin were building momentum and points from Ciaran Kilkenny, Costello and O'Callaghan tied it up. Donegal's first two-pointer through Shane O'Donnell seemed to tilt the balance back their way with 15 to go, but Dublin continued to press with substitute Ross McGarry and Basquel levelling again. It was set for a grandstand finish and with Jason McGee and Basquel trading two-pointers, it was anyone's game with five to go. With the game up for grabs and Donegal one ahead through McGee, the Dubs seemed to break for home as O'Callaghan put Paddy Small in for a goal and with Lee Gannon fisting over, it seemed Donegal needed a goal of their own to rescue the situation. Langan let fly from distance but his shot whistled over with 30 seconds to go and from the kick-out, Donegal were awarded a free for a touch on the ground and with Dublin not retreating, it was moved up to the edge of the arc. Murphy held his nerve with the final kick to level it at 2-18 apiece, while tempers boiled over as both sets of players engaged in a bout of pushing and shoving. Dublin have a little bit extra Extra-time began with both teams reduced to 13 players following black cards for Dublin's Niall Scully and Theo Clancy, plus Donegal's Michael Murphy and Jason McGee for their part in the melee at the end of normal time. The lower numbers seemed to suit Dublin who scored the first five points of extra-time with four - including a two-pointer - through substitute Sean Guiden. Charlie also struck the post with goal on, but Donegal narrowed the gap to three at the turnaround thanks to a two-point free from goalkeeper Gavin Mulreaney. It was back to 15-a-side for the second period and Donegal could have wiped out the gap within minutes when Shea Malone was played in, but Evan Comerford saved with Ryan McHugh content with the point from the rebound. McHugh added another, but Basquel replied with two of his own at the other end to restore the three-point gap with five to play. It left Donegal chasing another great escape but there was no way through Dublin whose victory and a place in the quarter-finals was sealed with Peadar O Cofaigh-Byrne fisting over, ending Donegal's interest in this year's championship.