Donegal were much too strong for Down in the U-21 semi-final replay at Ballybofey on Saturday.

Down's cause was not helped by a sending-off in each half: John Lavery after 11 minutes and Gary Gordon 10 minutes from the end.

Donegal were ahead by 1-4 to 0 2 at the break, thanks to a goal from Johnny McCafferty in the 26th minute, and they were in total control in the second half although they did not turn the advantage into scores.

Eamon Reddin and Adrian McClafferty were excellent in defence while Stephen Ward was again prominent at midfield. Donegal will now meet Monaghan in the U-21 final next Sunday in Omagh.

DONEGAL - G McGill; E Redding, S O'Donnell, B Boyle; M Gurn, A McClafferty, A Brennan; S Ward, B Monaghan; M Hegarty, A Gallagher, J P Boyle (0-2); G Blake, J P Gallagher (0-4), J McCafferty (1-3). Subs - J McLoone for Blake; J Carr for Gallagher.

DOWN - B McVeigh; P Oakes, C Byrne, C Keaveney; M McMurray, P Matthews, D McCarthy; K Doyle, J Lavery; A Devlin, G Gordon, P Bradley (0-1); S Ward, G McMahon (0-3), K Oakes. Subs - E Devlin for K Oakes; A Cole for P Bradley.

Referee - O R O'Neill (Derry).