Donegal trundled to a fifth consecutive Ulster final in a game characterised by speculative attacks and decisive defending. This was by far their most unconvincing display brought on by their own slackness and Derry's suffocating set-up.

They never went behind in the game but in front of an often subdued 19,237 attendance in Clones but it wasn't until Martin Reilly's 45th minute goal, created by Neil Gallagher, that they put some daylight between themselves and their neighbours.

Even at that, Derry strung together three points in a row to close the gap to two points with 12 minutes left. Michael Murphy thumped over one in the 64th minute only for Ciaran McFaul to make things edgy for Donegal again.

Alas for Brian McIver's side, Brendan Rogers and Ciaran McFaul were black carded in the closing stages and the Oak Leafers were left to rue their 12 wides, eight of which came in the second half.

Derry didn't actually score from play until the 19th minute, relying on a couple of Eoin Bradley frees in the first quarter, but it wasn't too damaging. By the 22nd minute, they were level with Donegal and again at half-time, 0-5 apiece.

Donegal in the early exchanges looked to be carrying on where they left off against Armagh, bossing Derry on their kick-out and forcing dispossessions in their opponents' half. Paul Durcan was forced to make an early save but Donegal found themselves 0-4 to 0-1 after 11 minutes.

Paddy McBrearty was looking sharp in the inside line but became more and more anonymous after the 14th minute when he appeared to tweak the hamstring he had an issue with at the Athletic Grounds.

Derry were playing guerrilla football and relying on a ration of attacks as they were mindful of taking cover and for 20 minutes they kept Donegal scoreless, Colm McFadden eventually breaking the duck when he shrugged off three Derry defenders.

But they were proving economical with their chances although like Donegal they were forced to shoot from distance. Fortunately for them, Caolan O'Boyle, Mark Lynch and Chrissy McKaigue found their range.

Scores and teams

Scorers for Donegal: M Reilly (1-0); P McBrearty (1 free), C McFadden, M Murphy (0-2 each); O Mac Niallais, C Toye, M McElhinney (0-1 each).

Scorers for Derry: E Bradley (frees), M Lynch (1 free), C O'Boyle (0-2 each); C McKaigue, N Holly, B Heron, C McFaul (0-1 each).

Subs for Donegal: M McHugh for C McFadden (58); A Thompson for C Toye (62); H McFadden for M McElhinney (70+1); D Walsh for P McBrearty (70+3).

Subs for Derry: B Heron for SL McGoldrick (inj, 47); L McGoldrick for O Duffy (48); T O'Brien for E Lynn (51); N Loughlin for E Bradley (62); E Lynn for C O'Boyle (65); C McAtamney for B Rogers (black, 6); C McFaul (black, 69).

DONEGAL: P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; R McHugh, K Lacey, F McGlynn; N Gallagher, M McElhinney; C Toye, O Mac Niallais, M Reilly; P McBrearty, M Murphy, C McFadden.

DERRY: T Mallon; O Duffy, B Rogers, D McBride; C McFaul, C McKaigue, K Johnston; N Holly, F Doherty; C O'Boyle, E Lynn, SL McGoldrick; M Lynch, E Bradley, D Heavron.

Referee: R Hickey (Clare)