Donegal retained the Ulster Championship in one other very shut encounter towards Armagh.
Twelve months on from their penalty shootout win over Kieran McGeeney’s aspect, Jim McGuinness guided his group to back-to-back titles.
It took extra-time to separate them nevertheless as Donegal triumphed 0-28 to 2-23 at Clones.
Derry have been the first group to fall as they misplaced out to the eventual winners in the preliminary spherical.
There was a dispute at the quarter-final stage as Ulster GAA initially acknowledged Corrigan Park couldn’t host Antrim’s assembly with Armagh.
The west Belfast venue was finally given the go-ahead with the guests progressing 1-23 to 1-34.
They have been joined in the final 4 by Down and Tyrone, who defeated Fermanagh and Cavan respectively, whereas Monagahan misplaced by two factors to Donegal.
In the semi-finals the Orchard County beat the Red Hands by a solitary level and Down fell to Donegal.
