That's a well-taken score by Conor McCarthy, who had an excellent league campaign but has been quiet so far today.

But this must be demoralising for Monaghan as Ciaran Thompson lands a superb two-pointer. Donegal are relentless.

Dessie Ward scores Monaghan's fourth to cut the deficit to five.

Ryan Wyle then does well to gather a booming Shaun Patton kick-out but David Garland is unable make anything of Kieran Duffy's towering shot which turned into a pass.

Peadar Mogan then goes up the other end and notches his third of the afternoon. Donegal have been much more efficient in shooting areas.

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Clones

Michael Murphy speeding away Kieran Duffy from a virtual standing start before scoring a beautiful point summed up Monaghan's woes at the moment. Peadar Mogan and Dara O Baoill are also making particular nuisances of themselves from a Monaghan point of view as well. To think that Donegal also have Oisin Gallen to bring on.

That was much-needed for Monaghan.

Captain Micheal Bannigan bursts through and makes no mistake. Monaghan need a few more of those before half-time.

Donegal are ruthless. Monaghan just can't get their hands on it.

In Donegal's latest thrust forward, Peadar Mogan curls a lovely shot over the bar. Five without reply now.

Image source, Getty Images

A sustained spell of Donegal possession ends in Michael Murphy powering past Ryan Wylie and nailing a fine score.

From the kick-out, Donegal win the ball back, and while Conor O'Donnell fires wide, the visitors claim the next kick-out and Ciaran Thompson converts.

This is looking ominous for Monaghan with Rory Beggan's kick-outs a growing concern.

Peadar Mogan charges through the Monaghan defence and fists over the bar.

Mogan had a lot of space there. The Monaghan management will not be happy about that.

They won't be best pleased to see another Daire O Baoill kick fly over the bar either. Donegal lead by four after 15 minutes.

Brilliant save from Shaun Patton to deny Ryan McAnespie's low drive!

That was heading for the bottom corner. We saw some great saves from the Down and Fermanagh keepers yesterday and Patton has come up with a fine stop for Donegal.

Rory Beggan nails the subsequent '45.

Lovely lay-off from Ryan McHugh while he's stumbling to put in Michael Langan, who fires over.

That is followed by another Monaghan wide as Stephen O'Hanlon fails to open his account.

Farney boss Gabriel Bannigan already cutting a frustrated figure on the sideline.

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Clones

The new rules have already bitten Monaghan with Murphy notching that two-point free after the Farney men had failed to keep three men in the Donegal half.

Ryan O'Toole does brilliantly to win the turnover for Monaghan but Ciaran McNulty's shot at the end of the attack drops short.

Two wides and a shot dropped short already for the home side.

At the other end, the in-form Daire O Baoill stretches Donegal's lead to two with a typically well-taken score.

Michael Murphy is up and running with a two-pointed free.

Well, after a couple of wides, the bustling figure of Gary Mohan breaks a tackle and splits the posts.

Fine score.

First shot of the day comes from Dessie Ward after a spell of Monaghan possession, but it drifts wide.

Donegal can't cough up anything from the resultant kick-out and Monaghan work the ball to Conor McCarthy, but his two-point effort kisses the post and goes wide.

Kieran Duffy, a late inclusion for Monaghan, is indeed picking up Michael Murphy.

Right, here we go. Monaghan electing to play into the breeze in the first half.

Right, the parade is done, the anthem is sung. It's time for Monaghan v Donegal.

The rain is coming down in Clones as the players begin the pre-match parade.

Tough conditions.

Image source, Inpho

Two-time Ulster Championship winner and BBC pundit Conor McManus explains why, despite a successful Division Two campaign, Monaghan must improve to take down All-Ireland contenders Donegal in today's provincial quarter-final.

Scoring has been Monaghan's strength this year. It's well-documented but they have been averaging about 28 or 29 points and I'd imagine Donegal will have a fairly rigid defensive plan to counteract that.

The important thing for Monaghan is maintaining a high level of performance for the 70 minutes.

In the league, patches of great play and scoring bursts served them well, but they will need to find another level to topple Donegal.

Read morehere

Image source, BBC Sport

Both teams have made two late changes but from a Donegal perspective the big news is that Michael Murphy does indeed start after being named in the original selection.

Kieran Duffy's inclusion is among Monaghan's alterations and he could well be tasked with marking Murphy.

Ryan McAnespie is also drafted into the Monaghan line-up with Aaron Carey and Jack McCarron the two players to make way.

Donegal's changes see Stephen McMenamin and Michael Langan taking over from Odhran McFadden-Ferry and Jeaic MacCeallabhui.

Langan's selection means that Ciaran Moore is likely to revert to defence after being named at left half-forward.

Monaghan: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Ryan O'Toole, Dylan Walshe; Kieran Duffy, Dessie Ward, Conor McCarthy; Micheal McCarville, Gary Mohan; Stephen O'Hanlon, Micheal Bannigan, Ciaran McNulty; David Garland, Andrew Woods, Ryan McAnespie.

Subs: Kian Mulligan, Jason Irwin, Gavin McPhillips, Darren Hughes, Joel Wilson, Jack McCarron, Barry McBennett, Aaron Carey, Fergal Hanratty, Stephen Mooney, Karl O'Connell.

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Stephen McMenamin, Michael Langan; Hugh McFadden, Ciaran Thompson; Daire O Baoill, Shane O'Donnell, Ciaran Moore; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Conor O'Donnell.

Subs: Gavin Mulreaney, Caolan McColgan, Odhran McFadden Ferry, Odhran Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Eoin McHugh, Jeaic MacCeallabhui, Jamie Brennan, Niall O'Donnell, Oisin Gallen, Jason McGee.

This is the first time Monaghan and Donegal have squared off in the Ulster Championship since the semi-finals in 2016.

Donegal won that one in a replay by a single point. Hopefully it's similarly tight this afternoon!

Image source, Inpho