Those are the nuts and the bolts of it but despite Donegal's progression to the last four and a meeting with Dublin at Croke Park next Sunday, it was the home support who left St Mary's Park with the broader smiles on their faces with Cork's loss to Kerry sending the Rebel County down.

In a game of musical chairs, Monaghan didn't lead until corner-back Colin Walshe popped up in a profitable channel to plant the winning score in the third of five minutes injury time.

Donegal were composed and measured in the first quarter, registering 1-4 before Monaghan got on the scoreboard.

Martin McElhinney scored the visitors’ goal on 20 minutes following a one-two with Leo McLoone and a blast past Rory Beggan.

However, within a minute Monaghan had goaled themselves when Daniel McKenna tucked home at the second attempt following a flowing move.

Donegal, who were 1-7 to 1-4 up at half-time, maintained their three-point lead till the final quarter.

However, with Monaghan’s needs probably greater than that of their visitors, Conor McManus’s six points helped them get on terms before Walshe popped over a dramatic winner to keep the Ulster champions in the top flight.

Monaghan: R Beggan; C Walshe (0-1), D Wylie, R Wylie; D Mone, F Kelly, K O’Connell; N McAdam, V Corey; D Hughes (0-1), D Malone, K Hughes; R McAnespie (0-1), D McKenna (1-1), C McManus (0-6, 0-5f). Substitutes: T Kerr for Mone (48); O Duffy for Malone (53); C McCarthy for McKenna (60);

Donegal: MA McGinley; P McGrath, N McGee, H McFadden; R McHugh (0-1), A Thompson (0-1), F McGlynn; M Murphy (0-3, 0-2f, ‘45’), O Mac Niallais (0-1); R Kavanagh, L McLoone, M O’Reilly; P McBrearty (0-2, 0-1 free), M McElhinney (1-0), E McHugh (0-1). Substitutes: C McFadden for E McHugh (53); E McGee for O’Reilly (60); C Toye for McLoone (64); S McBrearty for McElhinney (66); E Doherty for N McGee (black card, 69); M McHugh for H McFadden (black card, 74).

Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare).