Declan Bonner happy to be in Ulster final after 'proper' test

Donegal manager Declan Bonner was happy to finally see off Cavan in Sunday's Ulster SFC semi-final but admitted that his side are far from the finished article.

It was a first meeting between the pair since the Breffni men shocked Bonner's side in the 2020 provincial final, but there was no such repeat yesterday.

Donegal manager Declan Bonner told @MartyM_RTE that he had "expected nothing else" than the tough test Cavan gave his team in their Ulster SFC semi-final win today #GAA pic.twitter.com/MQGDPkpvZs

This contest was close for long periods, with the sides going in level at the break, but late goals from Conor O'Donnell and Paddy McBrearty ultimately settled the tie at Clones.

"It was a tough battle but we expected nothing else from Cavan," Bonner told RTÉ's Sunday Sport afterwards.

"They've a real tough championship pedigree behind them and we know from 2020 what they bring to the table. First half was nip and tuck. It was probably good to watch but we made a lot of mistakes in the first half.

"We were getting into the final third but getting ball turned over cheaply. We got ourselves together at half time and the goal was a big turning point.

"It was fortuitous, from our point of view, but we'll take that. Some days in championship football those breaks go for you. Semi-final is all about getting over the line, and we can look forward to a final where we know we need improving."

It'll be a fourth Ulster final in five seasons for Donegal, with them having lifted the Ango-Celt Cup twice in that period.

They await the winners of next week's other last four clash between Monaghan and Derry.

"It was a proper championship match out there today, no quarter asked or given," Bonner added.

"Both went teams at it in a very sporting