Donegal boss Brian McIver will have been pleased with the win

Ironically, McIver's own son Michael hit a quick goal for St Mary's as the students led 1-2 to 0-0 early on.

However, Donegal fought back to level the match at 0-7 to 1-4 by half-time.

With Christy Toye in great form, Donegal missed three great goal chances but late points from Toye and Gavin Maguire ensured the home victory.

Corner-back McIver's goal was the opening score of the game and Tyrone man Leo Meenan quickly added two further points for the visitors.

However, unanswered scores from the lively Ciaran Bonner, Brendan McDyre, Colm McFadden, Maguire and the excellent Adrian Sweeney levelled matters by the 18th minute.

Points from Toye and Sweeney then nudged Donegal two points ahead only for St Mary's to hit back with two scores to level matters by the interval.

St Mary's introduced Tyrone All-Ireland winner Joe McMahon for the second half in an effort to curb the dominance of the lively Donegal forwards.

Sweeney hit the woodwork straight after the break but at the other end of the field, Down county man Dan Gordon restored St Mary's lead with a fine point.

Ciaran Bonner then had another glorious goal chance for Donegal but excellent St Mary's goalkeeper Martin O'Kane made the save look comfortable.

Conal Dunne was then the guilty party for Donegal in front of goal when he went for glory from a tight angle instead of finding the better placed McFadden.

The sides were level with five minutes left but Maguire's second point and Toye's closing fisted effort earned Donegal a deserved victory.