Allianz HL wrap: Donegal squeeze into 2B decider

Donegal squeezed past Wicklow in Aughrim, 0-17 to 0-16, to reach the Allianz Hurling League Division 2B final on Saturday.

Donegal, for whom Liam McKinney scored 0-10 from dead balls, had the wind behind them in the first half and made hay, taking a 0-10 to 0-05 lead into the break.

However early in the second period they were reduced to 14 men when Ronan McDermott picked up a second yellow.

That, coupled with an improved Wickow showing, set up a grandstand finish. Wicklow got back to within a point and spurned chances to win it in the closing stages, but Donegal held on to set up a final showdwon against Meath.

In the Division 3A semi-final Armagh powered past Monaghan 2-23 to 0-16.

Shea Harvey's sixth-minute goal set the Orchard County on their way at the Box-It Athletic Grounds; they led by 1-12 to 0-09 at half-time.

They remained in full control thereafter, with Cormac Jennings' late goal putting the icing on the cake.

In the Division 3B semi-final, Leitrim defeated Longford 2-16 to 1-11 at Shane McGettigan Park.

Joe Murray's maximum helped Leitrim to a 1-12 to 0-07 interval lead. Longford did rally on the turnaround but a second Murray goal inside the last ten minutes extnguished their hopes of a comeback as Leitrim progressed to a final meeting with Cavan.