Pivotal in yesterday's Clones victory were Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden.

 Michael McHUGH reports from Clones

Donegal claimed their 6th Ulster senior title in Clones yesterday with a excellent display against Derry, gaining revenge for their defeats to the same county in 1993 and 1998.

The sides went in at half time on equal terms, but the Oak Leaf county were kept to just three points during the entire second half by a dogged Donegal defence.

The turning point came shortly after the resumption of the second half when star forward Michael Murphy was adjudged to have been taken down as he made his way goalward. 

 The resultant penalty was executed with precision to the left corner of the net and Derry were on the back foot after that.  

Undopubtedly, Derry were at a disadvantage without the Bradley brothers, but if the analysis is taken further, Donegal started without one of their midfielders, Kevin Rafferty and Rory Kavanagh also later went off injured after just half an hour.

For the neutrals few will deny the Tir Chonaill men their first Ulster final victory in 19 years – the year that they won the Sam Maguire for the only time in their history.

Neil Gallagher and Michael Hegarty, part of the old guard ensured that youngsters like Mark McHugh and Patrick McBrearty have an Ulster medal in their pockets after their first Ulster campaign. The victory brought an end to five successive Ulster final defeats for Donegal.  

Donegal Scorers: M Murphy 1-2, C McFadden 0-4 (0-2), M Hegarty 0-2, A Thompson 0-2, R Bradley 0-1.

Derry Scorers: J Kielt 0-4 (0-2), C Kielt 0-2, C Gilligan 0-1, M Donaghy 0-1

Donegal: P Durcan; F McGlynn, N McGee, P McGrath; A Thompson, K Lacey, K Cassidy; R Kavanagh, N Gallagher; M McHugh, M Hegarty, R Bradley; P McBrearty, M Murphy, C McFadden. Subs: M McElhinney for Kavanagh (31), K McCloy for Mullan (45), D Molloy for McBrearty (54), D Walsh for Bradley (58).

Derry: D Devlin; S L McGoldrick, K McGuckin, D McBride; C Mullan, C Kielt, M Bateson; J Diver, M Friel; M Lynch, C O’Boyle, B McGoldrick; E Muldoon, J Kielt, C Gilligan. Subs: M Donaghy for Batesman (29), G O’Kane for B McGoldrick (60), E McGuckin for Gilligan (60) PJ McCloskey for Muldoon (62).

Pivotal in yesterday's Clones victory were Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden.

Michael McHugh reports from Clones