A dominant second-half performance from Donegal was crucial as they overcame Monaghan by six points in this afternoons meeting.
Donegal winning out 1-26 to 1-20. Donegal who scored 1-16 in the second-half, struggled for periods in the first-half as Monaghan looked full value for money.
When Rory Beggan and Andrew Woods registered successive two pointers with 15 minutes played.
Michael Murphy and Ryan McHugh drew Donegal level with 24 minutes played, either side of a Ciaran Thompson two pointer.
Ciaran McNulty registered a point for Monaghan just before Michael Bannigan found the back of the Donegal net with 27 minutes on the clock. Andrew Woods landed another two pointer as the sides approached half-time.
As the hooter sounded for half time, Rory Beggan scored his second two pointer of the day. Monaghan went into the break with a seven point lead.
At half-time the score line read Monaghan 1-15 to Donegal’s 0-11
Donegal came storming out for the second period with both Michael Murphy and Oisin Gallen quickly registering scores.
Monaghan replied through Stephen O’Hanlon and Conor McCarthy, before Michael Langan raised the green flag for Donegal. It was now a two point contest with 43 minutes on the clock.
Michael Langan levelled the scores with 50 minutes played, as Donegal hit the next seven scores with reply.
Michael Murphy who was to the fore all afternoon added two points along with scores from the boot of Paddy McBreaty.
Davy Garland knocked over a two pointer for Monaghan. Rory Beggan then had a goal ruled out just before the hooter sounded, but the contest had been settled this point.
Donegal winning on a score line of Donegal 1-26 Monaghan 1-20.
