Brendan Devenney (left) scored five points for Donegal

Donegal pulled out all the stops to book an All-Ireland semi-final clash with Armagh on 31 August following a thrilling victory over Galway at Castlebar.

It was no more than Brian McEniff's side deserved after they had pulled away to take a seven-point lead 17 minutes after half-time.

Brendan Devenney and Alan Sweeney collected nine points between them as Donegal displayed great spirit and determination to deny the 1998 and 2001 champions.

Galway, though, had a raft of goal-scoring chances with Padraig Joyce missing two glorious opportunities and Tony Blake saving one attempt and Shane Carr another on the line from Matthew Clancy.

But it would have been a cruel end to Donegal's Odyssey after they had the first game last week snatched from their grasp by an injury-time point from Galway skipper Kevin Walsh.

But it was a nervous final 23 minutes when Galway began to claw back the deficit with the Tribesmen scoring three unanswered points.

But it was that period immediately after the restart that was the turning point in the game.

McEniff praises players

Already holding a three-point lead at the break, points from Christy Toye, Brendan Boyle, Sweeney, and Michael Hegarty saw them rattle Galway, whose recovery was just too little too late.

Galway, in fact, never lead at any stage throughout the game, which says a lot for the resolute defence of Donegal.

McEniff pulled off Devenney near the end as the attacking corner forward felt a little niggle in the knee that has been causing problems of late.

However, it was only as a precaution and Devenney will be available for the all-Ulster battle against the current champions.

It is Donegal's first semi-final appearance since they won the Sam Maguire 11 years ago.

Galway: A Keane; K Fitzgerald, G Fahey, M Comer; D Meehan, R Fahey, K Brady; K Walsh (0-1), J Bergin (0-1); P Clancy (0-1), M Clancy, M Donnellan (0-3); D Savage (0-1), P Joyce (0-2), M Meehan (0-2).

Donegal: T Blake; N McCready, R Sweeney, D Diver; S Carr, B Monaghan, K Cassidy; J Gildea, S McDermott; C Toye (0-2), M Hegarty (0-2), P McGonigle; B Roper, A Sweeney (0-4), B Devenney (0-4). Subs: B Boyle (0-1).

Referee: Paddy Russell (Tipperary).

Results
All Ireland MHC semi-final:
Galway 2-19 2-16 Tipperary

All Ireland SHC semi-final:
Cork 2-20 3-17 Wexford

Club results

Antrim SHC:
St Paul's 2-4 2-13 Ballycastle
Rossa 3-14 2-17 Loughgiel
Glenravel 1-3 3-12 Annaghstown

Armagh SFC:
Pearses Og 0-18 0-3 Sarsfields
Keady 1-12 1-9 Silverbridge
Culaville 2-9 2-15 Killeavey
Clann Lurgan 2-8 1-2 Dromintee

Cavan SFC quarter-finals:
Cavan Gaels 1-10 0-10 Belturbet
Bailieboro 1-9 0-9 Castlerahan
Gowna 1-9 1-7 Crosserlough
SFC play-off:
Drumgoon 0-13 1-8 Knockbride

Derry SFC:
Glenullin 1-8 0-10 Ballaghy
Slaughneil 1-14 1-9 Ballinascreen
Castle Dawson 1-9 1-8 Swatagh
Magharafelt 0-12 1-12 Kilrea
Craigbane 0-12 0-12 Bannagher