The impressive Michael Hegarty is challenged by Sean Kelly

Antrim had the better of the first half but the sides were level 0-4 to 0-4 at the break.

However, Michael Hegarty inspired Donegal to a much-improved second half display and Brendan Boyle's goal made victory certain.

Darren O'Hare's late goal was scarcely a consolation for PJ O'Hare's side.

Antrim should have led at their break and were then punished for their failure to turn possession into scores.

The Saffrons weren't helped by Mark McCrory's early departure because of a head wound after an accidental clash with Christy Toye.

However, Joe Quinn's dominated the midfield proceedings for most of the first half as the Donegal centrefielders made little impression.

We took our foot off the pedal near the end which would be fatal against other opposition Brian McEniff

The crucial period of the match came in the five minutes after half-time when Donegal picked up their performance considerably to hit three unanswered points.

Two of the crucial scores came from the impressive Hegarty who caused major problems for the Antrim defence.

With Brian McEniff's half-time team talk clearly doing the trick, Donegal continued their dominance and with Brendan Devenney, Adrian Sweeney and Stephen McDermott all finally finding their range, the home side led by 1-14 to 0-7 with five minutes remaining.

Brendan Boyle's goal came after a fine Donegal move.

Antrim notched 1-2 in the closing moments with Darren O'Hare palming the Saffrons' goal to the net.

Donegal boss Brian McEniff felt his team had looked "nervous" in the first half.

"I had been worried all week about possible complacency around this game but I thought it was more a case of nervousness in the first half," he said.

Fair play to Donegal for lifting their game after half-time PJ O'Hare

"We only really got going in the second half but we took our foot off the pedal near the end which would be fatal against other opposition."

McEniff acknowledged that he was very unhappy that a number of his panel had flouted orders not to play for their clubs on Saturday evening.

Jim McGuinness sustained a knee injury while lining out Glenties while Johnny McCafferty sustained a suspected medial ligament problem.

McEniff also said that John Gildea had been left out of the substitutes because he had played for his club over the weekend.

Disappointed Antrim boss PJ O'Hare said that the loss of Mark McCrory early on had been a major blow to his side.

"But fair play to Donegal for lifting their game after half-time. We weren't able to respond to it," said O'Hare.

Donegal: P Durcan, N McCready, R Sweeney, D Diver, E Magee, B Monaghan, K Cassidy, B Boyle, B McLaughlin, C Toye, M Hegarty (0-3), S McDermott (0-3), C McFadden, A Sweeney (0-4), B Devenney (0-4).

Antrim: S McGreevy, N Ward, C Brady, T Convery, G Adams, S Kelly, A Finnegan, J Quinn, M McCrory, M McCarry, K Brady, K McGourty (0-1), P Doherty, D O'Hare (1-1), K Madden (0-6). Subs: J Marron (0-1)

Saturday 29th May 2004
Connacht Championship replay
Roscommon 2-16 1-15 Sligo

Sunday 30 May
Connacht Championship
London 0-8 8-14 Galway
Leinster Championship
Carlow 1-7 0-15 Laois
Ulster Championship replay
Cavan 3-13 2-12 Down
Ulster Championship
Donegal 1-15 1-9 Antrim
Ulster Minor Championship replay
Monaghan 0-11 0-19 Armagh
Ulster Minor Championship
Donegal 2-10 1-4 Antrim

Hurling results

Saturday 29th May 2004
Leinster Championship
Offaly 2-23 1-15 Laois

Sunday 30 May
Munster Championship
Limerick 2-12 1-18 Cork