Ulster SFC semi-final: Donegal 2-22 Down 1-12

Donegal forward Jamie Brennan celebrates his goal against Down at Clones on Sunday

Fourteen-man Donegal set up an Ulster final against Fermanagh as they produced a brilliant display to outclass Down at Clones.

Donegal led by four when Neil McGee was sent off in the 14th minute but it only served to fire up Declan Bonner's side.

Leo McLoone's goal left Donegal 1-7 to 0-0 ahead although the lead was cut to 1-12 to 0-7 by half-time.

Jamie Brennan third-quarter goal killed off Down's challenge with Niall Donnelly's late goal scant consolation.

• Donegal outclass Down - as it happened

Down must have hoped the 14 men of Donegal might begin to struggle in the second half on an energy-sapping day, but instead a run of three further points and Brennan's goal ended the game as a contest.

Michael Murphy and Patrick McBrearty were at their brilliant best both from open play and frees, as the game's top performers were all in Donegal jerseys.

Frank McGlynn, Ryan McHugh, Michael Langan, Leo McLoone, Jamie Brennan and Ciaran Thompson were also exceptional in a Donegal display replete with pace and power.

Donegal's football in the opening 22 minutes of the contest left Down reeling as Declan Bonner's side were coming at the Mournemen with pace and from angles which the opposition simply couldn't deal with.

Down keeper Marc Reid was unable to pick out team-mates from his kickouts during the crucial opening 25 minutes as Donegal's dominance of possession and superb finishing enabled them to forge a lead which was never likely to be clawed back.

Down's Niall McGinley gets a tug from Donegal captain Michael Murphy at Clones

Centre half-back Paul Brennan kicked the first of his two scores from play in the opening minute after playing a neat one-two with the lively Langan.

The score was a portent of what was to follow as Donegal defenders regularly supplemented the attack.

Down seemed to have been given a 14th minute lifeline when McGee was red carded for a blatant knee in Connaire Harrison's back.

They duo had been tangling off the ball constantly in the early stages so the Gweedore man's early exit was no great surprise.

But instead of wavering, Donegal only upped their game as superb efforts from Murphy and McBrearty helped extend their lead to seven points.

McLoone's goal heaped further misery on Down as he slammed home to the net after an attempt for a point from late inclusion Ciaran Thompson came back off an upright and into his hands.

Damage done

With Caolan Mooney opening their account in the 24th minute, Down did outscore Donegal 0-7 to 0-5 in the remaining 16 minutes of first-half action but the damage had already been done for the Mournemen.

Donegal's pace slowed momentarily after the break but their main men Murphy and McBrearty (two) then struck three quick points to put them 11 up before Brennan palmed in their second goal after being set up by McHugh.

Further Donegal goals should have followed with Brennan blazing over when it appeared easier to score and substitute Stephen McMenamin also palming over a point with the net gaping.

Many of the Down fans in the 12,051 crowd had already left St Tiernach's Park when Donnelly danced his way through for the Mourne County's late goal.

The immediate final whistle left Down contemplating Monday morning's second round qualifier draw as Donegal began plotting for what is likely to be an altogether more difficult challenge against Rory Gallagher's Fermanagh in the provincial final in two weeks.

Donegal: S Patton; P McGrath, N McGee, E Gallagher; C Ward (0-01), P Brennan (0-02), R McHugh (0-02); H McFadden, L McLoone (1-00); C Thompson (0-01), M Langan, F McGlynn; P McBrearty (0-06, 3f), M Murphy (0-05, 3f), J Brennan (1-03).

Substitutes: D O Baoill for Langan (43), O MacNiallais for McLoone (48), C Mulligan for Thompson (48), S McMenamin (0-01) for Gallagher (53), M McHugh (0-01) for McGlynn (57), E Doherty for P Brennan (64)

Down: M Reid; C Flanagan, B McArdle, A Doherty; D O'Hagan, N McParland, C Mooney (0-01); P Turley, N Donnelly (1-01); K McKernan, C Maginn (0-02), S Millar; D O'Hare (0-04, 3f), C Harrison (0-04) R Millar.

Substitutes: R Johnston for R Millar (BC 21), R Wells for McParland (h-t), S Dornan for S Millar (BC 36), C Poland for Doherty (48), D McKibben for Turley (54), F Flynn for McKibbin (64 BC)

Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow).