Ryan McHugh helped himself to 2-2 and Colm McFadden also found the net during today's 3-14 to 0-17 semi-final win over the defending champions at Croke Park.

Donegal were admittedly in a dark place twelve months ago having suffered a 4-17 to 1-10 quarter-final hammering by Mayo, which makes this afternoon's result all the more remarkable.

Giving his reaction, McGuinness told RTÉ: "To turn a 16-point defeat into an All-Ireland (final appearance) the following year...it's a great testimony to the players and to the work they've done over the winter.

"There were a couple of hard conversations had and couple of questions that needed to be answered, but they answered them today and (it) gives us a position now where we contest the All-Ireland final.

"There was a lot of soul searching (after last year's Championship), to be honest with you, and it was a tough situation to be in - but one thing you can't fault is these lads' character.

"We had a few very tough and serious meetings at the beginning of the year and the question was asked, 'what do you want to be remembered for?', and I don't think anyone wants to be remembered for a 16-point loss to Mayo. They turned that around very, very well."

The Tir Chonaill boss was not surprised by the quality of performance that his side produced against All-Ireland favourites Dublin, given the preparation they had put in and the game-plan at this disposal.

"Before the game, we spoke about honesty and at half-time we spoke about honesty. And they delivered that without a shadow of a doubt. But they also married that with a very high level of game intelligence and they executed everything perfectly on the day.

"And we knew we had to do that to beat Dublin and I suppose with 10 or 15 minutes gone, it was hard to see how we were going to do that, but they dug in so well and I'm very proud of them."

With Donegal twice fighting back from being five points down in the first half, McHugh's 33rd-minute goal was the centre-piece of a tremendous spell before the break as they took a 1-8 to 0-10 lead.

Second half goals from McHugh and Colm McFadden put eight points between the sides and with substitute Paddy McBrearty landing two brilliant points to punish an increasingly disjointed Dublin defence, the Ulster champions saw out a deserved success to set up a September 21 decider against Kerry.

Referencing the Donegal minors' All-Ireland semi-final defeat of Dublin in the day's curtain raiser, McGuinness added: "It hasn't sunk in yet but it's going to be a lovely journey home. To have the minor and senior team in the final is a special moment.

"We know all about Kerry and their tradition and what they're going to bring - it's a dream final for us in many respects."