They were full value for it. Donegal scored just six points in the second half. They didn’t raise a single orange flag. Cork came with a methodical gameplan and executed it perfectly.

“Rebels. Rebels. Rebels,” came the chant from the field afterwards. Turlough Carr had a late chance to seize an ill-deserved win but his shot went over. A burst of two-pointers down the straight from Lukey Fahy, Tommy Walsh and a Sherlock free turned the tie on its head.

The environment was primed for open football. A sellout crowd gathered at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey where the pitch was in pristine condition. The venue was closed for over a year to complete extensive upgrades.

Despite that glorious surface, the first half was pedestrian. Donegal led 1-7 to 0-5 at the turnaround. The goal came after a short kickout by Patrick Doyle found Daniel O’Mahony but he was turned over by ferocious tackling from Michael Murphy.

The big number 14 raced in on goal and selflessly squared to Conor O’Donnell for a simple finish.

In a significant move, Jim McGuinness started Shaun Patton in goals for the first time since the All-Ireland final. Cork prospect Dara Sheedy made his return after suffering a hamstring injury in April. He scored their opening point of the half.

John Cleary was a man with a plan. If they had the ball, Donegal could not hurt them. They were patient with almost every attack, content to go slow. In the All-Ireland favourites backyard, pragmatism has its place.

Steven Sherlock had to deal with close attention from Brendan McCole. He kicked an early two-pointer, added another free from outside the arc and just hooked one more.

Donegal’s remarkable efficiency was on full display once more. They only turned the ball over once in the first half, a Murphy palmed goal effort that was cleared off the line. Oisin Gallen caught a burst early on kicking three quick-fire points.

It looked like it would continue in this pattern. Cork had other plans.

It was 1-10 to six when Cork first hit back with a two-point free. Conor Corbett came on and scored with his first possession. A fisted effort off the post late on could have cost them but Donegal couldn’t take advantage.

Afterwards as the stadium announcer pleaded with players and fans to leave the field, Cleary’s side stayed put. They had earned their spot.

Scorers for Donegal: C. O’Donnell 1-0; O. Gallen 0-3; M. Murphy 0-2 (1 free); M. Langan 0-2; R. McHugh, P. Mogan, S. O’Donnell, T. Carr, J. McGee, P. Mogan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: S. Sherlock 0-9 (3 tpf, 1 tp, 1f); T. Walsh, L. Fahy (tp) 0-2 each; S. McDonnell, I. Maguire, S. McDonnell, D. Sheedy 0-1 each.

DONEGAL: S. Patton; E. Gallagher, B. McCole, P. Mogan; R. McHugh, C. McGonagle, F. Roarty; J. McGee, H. McFadden; S. O’Donnell, M. Langan, C. Moore; C. O’Donnell, M. Murphy, O. Gallen.

Subs: C. McColgan for S. O’Donnell (55); T. Carr for C. O’Donnell (60);

CORK: P. Doyle; M. Shanley, D. O’Mahony, S. Meehan; B. O’Driscoll, T. Walsh, L. Fahy; I. Maguire, S. Walsh; P. Walsh, S McDonnell, D. Sheedy; M. Cronin, C. Og Jones, S. Sherlock.

Subs: R. Deane for Sheedy (45); C. Corbett for Cronin (50); J. O’Driscoll for Meehan (61, Inj); C. Cahalane for Walsh, B. Hurley for Og Jones (65);

Referee: D. Gough (Meath).