McIver keeps faith with Donegal XV

Donegal manager Brian McIver has given a vote of confidence to the team that dismissed Roscommon for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Monaghan in Ballybofey (throw-in 5pm).

Stephen Griffin retains his place in the Donegal attack after crowning his championship debut against Roscommon last week with a goal.

Another young forward, the 18-year-old Michael Murphy, will be looking for more goals against Monaghan after scoring three majors in two championship games this summer.

The Tír Chonaill men made hard work of their 3-11 to 1-09 first round win, losing full-back Neil McGee to a second yellow card.

McGee, with it just being two bookings, is available again this weekend to don the number three jersey.

Centre-back Barry Monaghan looks set to start the Ulster derby after recovering from the hamstring injury he picked up last Saturday.

Christy Toye (groin) and Brian Roper (hamstring) remain on the injury list, while Michael Hegarty, Barry Dunnion and the recalled Brendan Devenney are also missing from the starting line-up.

Donegal lost to Monaghan in a third round qualifier in Omagh last year, going down by 2-12 to 1-07 and McIver knows the size of the task facing his side.

"Every team that's left in the championship is going to be going flat out. In many ways the real championship starts this weekend," he explained.

"We know ourselves we couldn't have been presented with a bigger challenge.

"It's a very tough draw - the only thing is at least we have the bonus of playing it in Ballybofey."

DONEGAL (SFC v Monaghan) - P Durcan; E McGee, N McGee, K Lacey; F McGlynn, B Monaghan, K Cassidy (capt); N Gallagher, R Kavanagh; K Rafferty, D Walsh, S Griffin; C McFadden, R Bradley, M Murphy.