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Donegal boss Jim McGuinness speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"We're happy to get to the Ulster final, it was a tough battle out there again. All the games are the same, we saw the game last night, massive battle and we knew Down were going to bring that.

"We had to show a bit of patience and try to get over the line by hook or by crook.

"It's our third game in three weeks. It does take it out of you. But we're back in the final, that's going to be a massive challenge. We know what's coming but we're looking forward to it."

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Down manager Conor Laverty speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"We're bitterly disappointed with how the game finished. There was a period in the second half where we felt we got to grips with the game and we had opportunities to close the gap.

"They kept us at arm's length. They had goal chances but if our chances go in it gives us serious momentum.

"I thought we did quite well on Shaun Patton's kick-outs in general. We'd identified that but when you're investing bodies up the field, it's an opportunity Donegal see to get down the field to Michael [Murphy] predominantly. "

Mark Sidebottom says the latest information is that it's "probable" the Ulster final will be played in Clones, not Croke Park.

The fixture details will be confirmed by the Ulster council soon.

A bit more from Patrick McBrearty:

"We played them [Armagh] three times last year and I think there was only a point in it over how many hundred minutes. We know Armagh and they know us and it'll come down to inches.

"It's about how we prepare now but it's great to be back in the Ulster final."

Donegal man of the match Patrick McBrearty, speaking to BBC Sport NI:

"Job done, we knew it was a very capable Down side. We were probably a little tetchy for the first 15 minutes but I thought we found our groove from there and then we got the goal.

"But big, big lessons to be learned from today and big improvements if we're to beat Armagh in an Ulster final."

Donegal were comfortable for large spells of that game but Down will undoubtedly rue their missed goal chances: one in the first half, two in the second.

They just couldn't find the net and Donegal were able to keep them at arm's length as a result.

That wasn't a semi-final to live long in the memory but another Donegal v Armagh final is certainly an enticing prospect.

It's all over in Clones and Donegal will be back in the Ulster final for a rematch with Armagh in a fortnight's time.

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Another goal chance!

Eugene Branagan bears down on goal but snatches at his shot and it goes wide! Deary me.

The Mournemen have certainly had their goal chances but they just haven't had the composure when they needed it the most.

A '45 from Shaun Patton at the other end stretches Donegal's lead and that is probably that.

Well, there's the score of the day from Pat Havern! He missed a two-pointed free a moment ago but he sends an unbelievable shot over the bar from way out.

Five points in it now - will Down come to rue those missed goal chances?

Down need goals at this stage and they should have scored one, but Shay Miller's low shot is blocked by Shaun Patton!

Miller had done brilliantly to read and steal Patton's short kick-out but he took the shot on when Pat Havern was free on the left.

A two-pointed Michael Langan free sails over and puts eight points between the sides with 12 minutes remaining before Pat Havern knocks a point over for Down.

Donegal have started to run the bench, too, with Jason McGee, Odhran McFadden Ferry, Niall O'Donnell and Aaron Doherty all introduced.

A fine save from Ronan Burns denies Daire O Baoill a goal after an impressive surge up the field by Ciaran Moore.

That would have been curtains.

In stark contrast to yesterday, this second half has been a tough watch.

Daniel Guinness and Eugene Branagan have scored Down's latest point but there's still surely too much between the sides at this stage.

A Down goal would change things, of course, but Donegal don't look like conceding one.

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Danny Magill points for Down but the pace has gone from the game.

Donegal look so comfortable in possession.

Twenty minutes left.

Smart play from Donegal, taking the sting out of the game after that little scoring burst from Down before Daire O Baoill breaks through the heart of the Mourne defence and scores a fine point.

Then, in the next couple of plays, Ciaran Moore scores and Patrick McBrearty extends the margin to nine with a mark.

That certainly helps the Down cause as Pat Havern sends a two-pointed free sailing between the posts. Lovely kick...and Eugene Branagan adds another! Maybe this is the momentum they need.

Peadar Mogan was booked before Havern's free so that's a couple of yellows for Donegal early in the second half.

Conor O'Donnell flashes over a point for Donegal but that could have easily been a goal. Down's task is made even harder.

Meanwhile, Michael Murphy is booked for a high challenge on Down corner-back Pat McCarthy.

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Conor McManus
Two-time Ulster winner on BBC Sport

The defending of a game for 60 or 70 minutes is over. You have to go for it and Down are struggling with that. Down are not getting enough out of their full-forward line and they're struggling because of it.

They're not going down the throat of Donegal's defence. Derry did but Donegal have shored that up.