Donegal 2-11 Down 0-11:Donegal put in their best performance to date in the Dr McKenna Cup to clinch a semi-final meeting with Armagh after defeating Down in Ballyshannon yesterday.

Underfoot conditions were heavy but Donegal were lively in the opening half, with Adrian Sweeney and Brendan Devenney returning to the colours for their first outings of the year. Their partner in the front line, Leon Thompson, hit the first goal on 25 minutes and Sweeney added the second from the penalty spot after Devenney was fouled.

Donegal led by 2-5 to 0-5 at the break but they were pegged back to two points - 2-7 to 0-11 - midway through the second half, thanks to some great free-taking by Barry Doran for the visitors. In the final quarter Donegal came back to run out easy winners but the Down management will be happy with the way their second string performed.

DONEGAL: M Boyle; B Dunnion, P Campbell, P McConigley; T Donoghue, B Monaghan, F McGlynn; C Bonner (0-1), K Cassidy; B McDyre, M Hegarty, B Roper; B Devenney (0-6, two frees), A Sweeney (1-1, pen, free), L Thompson (1-1). Subs: J Friel for McDyre 44 mins; C Toye (0-1) for Hegarty, R Kavanagh for Roper (both 55 mins); K McMenamin for Thompson (61 mins); R Bradley (0-1) for Bonner (69 mins).

DOWN: B Connell; S Toner, C Murtagh, R McArdle; J Doran, P Shields, K McGuigan; M McClean (0-2), J Lynch; P Turley, M Poland, B Doran (0-7, frees); K Gracey, A Burns (0-2, one free), B Loughan. Subs: E Henry for Toner (9 mins); D Cunningham for McArdle (51 mins); D Rooney for Shields (58 mins); C McCrickard for Lynch, B Sweeney for Gracey (both 61 mins).

Referee: A McAlynn (Derry).