Marauding Monaghan half-back Karl O'Connell looks to have a chance to put the game to bed as he storms through the heart of the Donegal defence but Frank McGlynn makes a vital intervention to keep the holders in the contest.

A Michael Murphy free cuts Monaghan's lead to four as Rory Gallagher introduces Darach O'Connor for Colm McFadden.

Martin Clarke
BBC Sport NI pundit

"Conor McManus is having an absolute stormer. He is a joy to watch and he is really enjoying it. There are not many players in Ireland who could execute some of the scores that he has today."

Donegal are starting to look in big trouble as McManus slots his sixth point with a glorious curling effort from 35 yards after Colm McFadden concedes possession in the Monaghan half.

A dismal Neil Gallagher miss from 25 metres brings up Donegal's wides total to 10. Six of them have come in the second half.

But Monaghan are showing no signs of wilting at this stage, anyhow, as McManus points another free to restore the margin to four.

Are Donegal finally beginning to emerge from their comparative slumber? There is now only a kick of the ball between the sides as a Mark McHugh run sets up a successful free for his Kilcar club-mate McBrearty.

And an enforced one for Donegal as Karl Lacey is forced off for Donegal with an apparent hand injury with Anthony Thompson introduced.

After three bad Donegal wides, Owen Lennon extends Monaghan's lead to five with another fine point but Paddy McBrearty replies for Donegal after a Ryan McHugh charge into the danger zone is illegally halted.

Michael Murphy throws himself into another collision with Darren Hughes, who is no small physical specimen himself, and the Monaghan man comes off worse. Looked late again but Murphy escapes once more.

Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst

"Monaghan will just be looking for more of the same in this second half. They probably just need another five or six points to win this final, while realistically Donegal probably need a goal."

Paddy Bradley
Derry All Star

"There will have been a few choice words said in the Donegal dressing room at half-time. Donegal are really struggling to break Monaghan down."

Oisin McConville
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst

"Monaghan look the hungrier team and are turning the ball over time after time. Donegal are being far too negative and have had very little to offer going forward."

Martin McHugh
BBC Sport NI GAA analyst

"The difference is that Monaghan are kicking their long-range points. They have mirrored Donegal's style but are proving better at it. Monaghan are a good side, but Donegal look tired."

Philip Jordan
Three-time All-Ireland winner

"Monaghan have all the momentum going in at half-time. Their tails are up and there will be a lot of questions being asked in the Donegal dressing room. Monaghan have been strong in defence but Donegal have to be more positive."

Murphy's first-half struggle is summed up as he concedes possession and within a flash, McManus has kicked another long-range Monaghan point. David Coldrick immediately blows for half-time. Monaghan have produced a superb second quarter and look to have a degree of control at this stage although Donegal are renowned as a second-half team.

Orla Bannon
BBC Sport at Clones

"Malachy O'Rourke was pumped up after that inspirational point by McManus - pumped his fists and raised his arms in the air after a huge turnover by Ryan Wylie on Christy Toye."

Murphy finally ends Donegal's scoring drought with a 35-metre free while Toye departs quickly after his error as Martin O'Reilly is introduced. But Dessie Mone immediately restores Monaghan's three-point lead with another fine score from play.

Rory Gallagher must be starting to feel a little concerned as Conor McManus extends Monaghan's lead to three after Christy Toye concedes possession to the Farney forward just outside the 21. Monaghan fans are starting to make a bit of noise at St Tiernach's Park.

Monaghan are starting to pick out their attackers with long balls as Kieran Duffy strokes over another Farney point. Donegal haven't managed a score in 25 minutes.