Michael Murphy received the biggest cheer of the day as he returned and helped Donegal to a convincing win over Armagh in Ballybofey.
Just one point separated these sides last year over three games but Donegal continued their great unbeaten record in Ballybofey under Jim McGuinness.
The big talking point prior to the game was the inclusion of Michael Murphy in the 26-man panel and when he was introduced after 44 minutes the Donegal supporters in the 13,109 attendance got what they wanted.
At the time of Murphy's introduction Armagh were threatening to spoil the Donegal party but from then to the finish Donegal put the foot down and never looked in trouble.
Armagh were not helped by losing Aidan Forker to a red card for welcoming Murphy onto the field.
Everything was happening in Ballybofey.
A power cut left no hooter at the half-time break but when Sean Hurson blew Donegal were ahead by 0-12 to 1-03.
The opening four points were shared with Ethan Rafferty converting a '45 and Darragh Mullin pointed while in between Conor O'Donnell and Jamie Brennan found the range for Donegal.
Jarly Óg Burns, on the field as a blood substitute, created a goal opening which Darragh McMullin fired past Shaun Patton on 10 minutes.
Then it seemed as Armagh went on holidays as Donegal dominated the rest of the half to fire 10 unanswered points, all but one from play before Jason Duffy eventually hit the only other Armagh score on the stroke of half-time.
Patrick McBrearty (3), Ryan McHugh and Oisin Gallen (2) and Peadar Mogan were the Donegal scorers in an impressive shooting performance for the home side. The only thing missing in the opening half was a two pointer.
The value of the two pointer was clear as Ben Crealey and Andrew Murnin cut the lead to just two points inside seven minutes. In between Donegal had a great goal chance as Ethan Rafferty denied Jamie Brennan and Oisin Gallen at point blank range.
Patrick McBrearty got Donegal's first point before the biggest roar of the day saw Michael Murphy enter the fray on 44 minutes. He was greeted by Aidan Forker who was shown a straight red card.
Murphy then punished a poor kick-out to fire over and he quickly added another to put Donegal five up again.
Patrick McBrearty and Ciaran Thompson. Ethan Rafferty kept Armagh in the contest with another two pointer but Donegal should have had a goal when a quick break found Patrick McBrearty free but he opted to fire over.
Odhran Doherty added another and Michael Murphy fired over his third from a free to complete a very good Donegal performance.
KEY: tp - two-point score; tpf - two-point free; tpm - two-point mark
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan (0-01); Ryan McHugh (0-02), Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Mark Curran; Caolan McGonagle, Ciaran Thompson (0-02); Shane O’Donnell, Conor O’Donnell (0-02), Ciaran Moore; Patrick McBrearty (0-06,0-01f), Oisin Gallen (0-02, 0-01f), Jamie Brennan (0-02).
Subs: Dáire Ó Baoill for Roarty (ht); Michael Murphy (0-03,0-01f) for Brennan (44); Niall O’Donnell for Gallen (55); Eoin McHugh for S O’Donnell (59); Odhrán Doherty (0-01) for C O’Donnell (61)
Armagh: Ethan Rafferty (0-03,0-01 '45',1tp); Tomas McCormack, Barry McCambridge, Aidan Forker; Garreth Murphy, Greg McCabe, Ross McQuillan; Ben Crealey (0-02,1tp, Niall Grimley; Jason Duffy (0-01), Darragh McMullin (1-02), Jemar Hall; Conor Turbitt, Andrew Murnin (0-01,1tp), Oisin Conaty.
Subs: Stefan Campbell for Hall (30); Jarly Og Burns for Murphy (ht); Cian McConville (0-01) for McQuillan (53); Callum O’Neill for Turbitt (62)
Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)
