Monaghan survived a second-half Donegal comeback at O'Neills Healy Park tonight to record their first Dr McKenna Cup success in 19 years courtesy of a 1-11 to 0-13 victory.

Seamus 'Banty' McEnaney's charges appeared to be well in control at half-time when they led by double scores (1-7 to 0-4) but in the end, Padraig Hughes full-time whistle couldn’t have come quick enough as they almost let a nine-point lead slip to a strong finishing Donegal, for whom Michael Murphy came off the bench to score six points.

Donegal’s Odhran McFadden Ferry with Ryan McAnespie of Monaghan. ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty.

Paddy McBrearty opened the scoring for Donegal after 30 seconds but they struggled to make any sort of impression on the game in the first period against a stubborn Farney defence as Dessie Ward's 4th minute goal propelled Monaghan to the front for the first time.

With Donegal manager Declan Bonner sent to the stands by referee Hughes, a Charles McGuinness free ended a 15-minute barren spell for his side but Shane Carey replied with two points to keep Monaghan firmly in the driver's seat come the half-hour mark.

Bonner's troops fell further adrift within eight minutes of the resumption (1-10 to 0-4). Cue the introduction of Murphy, who almost single-handedly dragged his team back into the contest, outscoring Monaghan by 0-1 to 0-9 between the 44th minute and full-time.

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