Jim McGuinness is winning matches in Ulster again, after his Donegal side racked up the goals in a 4-11 to 0-17 victory over Derry at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Daire Ó Baoill caught Derry goalkeeper Odhran Lynch off his line either side of half-time to score a brace, before Jamie Brennan also took advantage of the stopper's advances up the field by scoring a goal late on.
Amid all that, Oisin Gallen dispatched a penalty, as a clinical Donegal progressed to a provincial semi-final against either Cavan or Tyrone next weekend.
"The Ulster Championship will always be the number one for myself anyway, I'm trying to instil that in the boys as well and I don't think that's a hard job," he said.
"They're special nights and I'm just delighted that we were able to bring the level that was required because Derry are a phenomenal team. One swallow doesn't make a summer from our point of view.
"Derry will be there, I have no doubt about that, at the business end of the season, with Dublin and Kerry. For us, it's a victory, it puts us into the next round and that's the most important and pleasing thing.
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McGuinness was pleased with the counter-attacking strength of his side, as they repeatedly punished a Derry team that was looking for a way back into the game.
"They took them [the goals] well when they came," McGuinness added. "Those transitional moments are hard-got now in the game. I was delighted even in the second half when we got turnovers close to our own goal, the passion and the drive was there to get up the field and support each other. Those bits and pieces were very pleasing."
It was a satisfying start to the Championship campaign for Donegal and McGuinness added that he won't be looking past next weekend.
"It's a step along the road. I played in a Donegal team when we won the All-Ireland and the Ulster Championship in the first year and we never won another Ulster Championship after that, so football can give you a lot of reality checks.
"It's fantastic to watch Cavan v Tyrone and to have our business done, that is a good feeling. The turnaround is very tight, we've had six months to prepare for this one and a week to prepare for the next one.
"We're excited about the next round. We won't be looking beyond that game because once you start doing that, you get a bloody nose. For us, it's important to try and build on this, try and build on the energy, hopefully it adds to the confidence level, and take the next step on the road as it comes.
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