Donegal and Monaghan will renew acquaintances in the Ulster SFC final for the second year running at Clones tomorrow.

Monaghan boss Malachy O'Rourke has kept faith with the team that defeated Armagh in the semi-final replay as they go in search of a first Ulster back-to-back success since 1930.

The Farney County's team shows 11 survivors from the one that got the better of Donegal in last year's decider with Kieran Duffy, Neil McAdam, Owen Lennon and Padraig Donaghy the ones that are absent.

0-13 to 0-7 was the final scoreline as Monaghan memorably bridged a 25 year gap to their last Anglo Celt Cup success.

More recently, O'Rourke's charges claimed the FL Division 2 honours with a fully merited 1-16 to 1-10 victory over the 2012 All-Ireland champions.

Midfielder Darren Hughes isn't reading too much into that result however: "I don't think that was a real reflection of them - I think they had one eye on Derry in the first round of the championship, and had come back from a tough training camp."

Donegal certainly owe Monaghan a beating but former Footballer of the Year Karl Lacey is omitted from the team announced by Jim McGuinness due to injury. That doesn't necessarily mean he won't line up at the throw-in of course.

Veteran Christy Toye, meanwhile, is in line to make his 50th championship appearance in the county colours after being selected to partner Martin McElhinney at midfield.

The holders haven't lost a championship match at St Tiernach's Park since the 2010 Ulster final defeat to Tyrone.

Don't be surprised if tomorrow's eagerly-anticipated decider finishes in stalemate.

Verdict - Draw.

Donegal team: Paul Durcan; Eamonn McGee, Neil McGee, Ryan McHugh; Anthony Thompson, Frank McGlynn, Paddy McGrath; Martin McElhinney, Christy Toye; Rory Kavanagh, Leo McLoone, Odhran MacNiallais; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden.

Monaghan team: Rory Beggan; Ryan Wylie, Drew Wylie, Colin Walshe; Dessie Mone, Vinny Corey, Fintan Kelly; Dick Clerkin, Darren Hughes; Paudie McKenna, Stephen Gollogly, Paul Finlay; Dermot Malone, Kieran Hughes, Conor McManus.

Match details: Sunday, Clones, 4pm.

Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois).

Odds: Monaghan 10/11, Draw 15/2, Donegal 6/5. Tweet

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