Jim McGuinness left ruing refereeing calls and second half drop-off after semi-final loss

Jim McGuinness was left unhappy with a number of refereeing calls but acknowledged that his side "ran out of steam" in the closing stages of their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Galway.

The Ulster champions had been motoring well for the first three quarters, with the midfield pairing of Michael Langan and Ciarán Thompson contributing a combined tally of 0-06, while Oisín Gallen swung over 0-03.

However, their attacking game creaked badly as the tension ratcheted up in the closing stages, with several balls short into Connor Gleeson's hands while Gallen missed a crucial free in the 62nd minute.

Galway nudged ahead with a close-in free on 65 minutes after Thompson was penalised for handling on the ground, a decision which incensed the Donegal players crowded around referee Brendan Cawley - though TV replays seemed to vindicate the call.

McGuinness didn't address that decision directly, though his face darkened slightly when he was asked about refereeing calls, making clear he wasn't happy with a number of them throughout the game.

"I don't make comments about referees and I try to stay away from it," said McGuinness.

"There were a number that we weren't happy with. In the first minute, Ryan McHugh was breaking through, had two men pulling at him and he was blown for over-carrying.

"I don't really want to go there; it is what it is. These games can be decided by one or two moments. We'll take it on the chin."

Leaving aside refereeing gripes, McGuinness acknowledged his side's wayward shooting in the second half - after a reasonably efficient display in the first - was central to their downfall.

"I suppose the summary of it will be that we converted five of 14 in the second half. We converted 10 of 14 in the first half. That's