Donegal 0-15 0-16 Monaghan

Michael Murphy is challenged by Dessie Mone at Ballybofey

Monaghan edged out Donegal in a titanic qualifier struggle at Ballybofey to further signal that they are right back in the championship mix.

Paul Finlay hit seven crucial points for the Farney men while Dick Clerkin also shone for the winners.

The exchanges were tight early on and while Monaghan led 0-7 to 0-4, Donegal levelled at 0-8 to 0-8 by the break.

Monaghan moved 0-13 to 0-10 ahead after 51 minutes and while Donegal reduced the lead, they couldn't get on terms.

The match was played at a frantic pace throughout and Monaghan were inches away from hitting a goal in the opening seconds.

Conor McManus broke clear of the Donegal defence but his pointblank effort came back off the woodwork.

The teams went score for score over the opening quarter as Monaghan led twice, only for Donegal to move 0-3 to 0-2 up before the visitors levelled once again.

With Clerkin bossing midfield, Monaghan moved into a 0-7 to 0-4 advantage helped by a controversial McManus point after Rory Woods had appeared to have fouled the lively Brian Roper.

Monaghan then led 0-8 to 0-5 but two McFadden frees and a Rory Kavanagh score left the teams level at the break.

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Roper had a glorious goal chance for Donegal seconds after the break but Padraig McBennett saved the forward's pointblank chance.

Michael Murphy did quickly nudge Donegal ahead but Monaghan hit the next four scores including two points from the busy Rory Woods.

Donegal got to within two twice but Stephen Gollogley's point left the Farney men 0-14 to 0-11 ahead with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

By that stage, Donegal boss Brian McIver had introduced Michael Hegarty for the ineffective Brendan Devenney, who had been a late inclusion in the starting line-up.

A point from sub Christy Toye and another Murphy score cut Monaghan's lead to the minimum by the 60th minute but crucially Finlay replied with a high-pressure free.

Another beautiful Toye score left one in it again but Finlay struck a glorious score from play to extend Monaghan's lead to two with four minutes left.

Murphy missed a vital free for Donegal with two minutes remaining - particularly given that Gallagher went on to score in the opening minute of injury-time.

Donegal still had time to mount a frantic late attack but Colm McFadden's long-range effort was pushed away by McBennett and Dessie Mone completed the clearance in the final play of the match.

Monaghan boss Seamus McEnaney spoke of his immense pride in his players after the match while disappointed Brian McIver said he would hold discussions next week with the Donegal county board about his position.

McIver stood down after last year's Championship hammering by the Farney men and there will some doubt as to whether he will opt to stay on for another year.

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Donegal: P Durcan; E McGee, N McGee, K Lacey; F McGlynn, J Gallagher, K Cassidy (cpt); N Gallagher, R Kavanagh; K Rafferty, D Walsh, B Roper; C McFadden, B Devenney, M Murphy.

Monaghan: P McBennett, D Mone, JP Mone, D McArdle, D Freeman, V Corey, G McQuaid, E Lennon, P Finlay, D Clerkin, S Gollogly, C McManus, C Hanratty, R Woods, T Freeman.