Christy Toye is challenged by Armagh player Brendan Donaghy

Brian McIver's side led by 0-4 to 0-0 after 13 minutes with the impressive Kevin McMenamin hitting three points.

However, three Peadar Toal points helped Armagh fight back with five unanswered scores before half-time.

Donegal ended 31 minutes without a score to regain the lead and they held on to win despite the dismissal of Kevin Cassidy for two yellow cards.

McMenamin emphasised his status as Donegal's main find during the McKenna Cup by hitting the opening three scores of the game and Hegarty's neat finish then extended McIver's side lead to four points by the 13th minute.

However, Donegal's periodic problem of over-elaboration then began to set in and midfielder Joe Friel's over-carrying enabled Peadar Toal to open Armagh's account in the 22nd minute.

Toal then hit two fine points from play to cut Donegal's lead to the minimum and injury-time scores from Gareth Swift and Kevin O'Rourke left Joe Kernan's side with an unlikely half-time advantage.

The main talking point of the first half was Cassidy's vigorous challenge which led to the enforced departure of Armagh's Paul Duffy.

The Armagh management were extremely unhappy with Cassidy's attempted shoulder but referee Barry Toland didn't feel that it warranted a booking although the Donegal player did pick up his first yellow card later in the half for another challenge.

Donegal boss Brian McIver (right) watches the action

Donegal, playing with the wind, ended their long scoreless spell when Brendan Devenney notched his first score of the game with a 38th-minute free.

They regained their lead a minute later when McMenamin finished off the move of the game to swing over a fine point.

Armagh levelled two minutes later when Stephen Faulkner pointed after Joe Friel had been caught in possession in his own defence.

Devenney, close marked by Enda McNulty for the most part, finally showed his attacking skills in the 45th minute when he superb run set up a point for Brian Roper with the substitute's goal attempt going inches over the crossbar.

Cassidy got his early bath in the 53rd minute after a harsh second booking.

However, Armagh's man advantage wasn't in any way obvious during the remainder of the game as Joe Kernan's young side appeared to run out of steam.

Devenney swung over a wind-assisted free to extend Donegal's lead to two with five minutes left.

Armagh sub Barry McKevitt cut Donegal's lead to a point in the first minute of injury-time but McMenamin's fourth score of the game was the final kick of the game.