'The longer the game went on the more confident we became as a side' - McGuinness

There were smiles all around Celtic Park from a Donegal perspective for the second week in a row, and none were greater than the one pictured on the face of the Donegal boss as Jim McGuinness made his way through the crowd to address the media. 

It almost felt that there was no end to the resolve, the sheer will and obstinance that this Donegal team seem to produce this season to win a game of football. 

And that was the key message delivered by the Naomh Conaill man following his team’s 0-18 to 0-16 point win over Tyrone in their Ulster semi-final clash. 

McGuinness knew his side would be asked serious questions by the Red Hand County, and he admitted that he couldn’t be happier with how his team responded. 

“When you get a win like that, that’s why we love playing in the Ulster championship, that’s why you love taking teams into it, it’s a competition that asks a lot of questions of you and we were in that spot at half-time,” McGuinness said. 

“Tyrone were brilliant in terms of their gameplan, that asked all the right questions, and they didn't allow us to get into a flow. They had threats all over, so it was very pleasing from our point of view that we found a way to win the game.” 

Donegal were in a spot of difficulty for long periods in the first half, with many of their chances blown as they trailed 0-8 to 0-5 at the break. 

Every time Donegal crawled back into the match, Tyrone would keep their distance and stretch themselves back in front, until the dying minutes of the game when a Brendan McCole point took the game to extra-time. 

But it was two final scores from Shane O’Donnell and Patrick McBrearty that edged Donegal in front and towards a hard-earned win. 

“From half-time onwards, we grew into the game a lot better, we kept the ball better, we found better moments,” McGuinness explained. “Now we can still improve obviously, but the longer the game went on, the more comfortable and confident we felt, even though it was one of those games where we were on a cliffhanger the whole way. 

“I think Tyrone analysed us well and asked the right questions, it was up to us to come together and find solutions, and the boys did that. We controlled the ball an awful lot better in the second half and found the pockets an awful lot better, we also grew into the game eventually which was brilliant. 

“We saw the game between Down and Armagh last night where Down made it as difficult as possible for Armagh to play. They played the game in a way that made it challenging and difficult for their opponents, that’s the nature of the game and Tyrone did the same today, our job is to find solutions and we did that. 

“This is why it’s so amazing to win the Ulster championship because these are the difficult tasks you have to overcome. Players love playing in it, and when you get over the line it’s because you’ve earned it. 

“Tyrone pushed us to the perimeter and challenged us in different ways. It was up to us to take a step back at half-time and solve some of those problems, which the boys did in the second half.” 

But despite the close affair, McGuinness admitted he felt there was something in the air that made him feel it was going to be his side’s day. 

“We felt there was something here in this game for us, especially in the second period of the second half, it was just about staying calm and composed and play for each other,” said McGuinness. “We can see there are a lot of tired bodies out there, we gave it everything, as did Tyrone, so it’s just brilliant to come through. 

“We know how hard we had to work, we found a way to improve constantly. I suppose you’d just prefer to get the job done as simply as possible, but when you reflect on the character aspect of the players, it shows that you’re never over the line until you’re over the line. 

“There were so many moments in that game where it could’ve fallen for either team and so many big scores, so for now we just have to double down and get the bodies ready for Armagh.” 

Donegal will now have two weeks to recover before they face Kieran McGeeney’s side in Clones in the Ulster final – a repeat of this year’s Division 2 final in Croke Park which Donegal won. 

“We had a massive battle with Derry last week, Tyrone this week, and now Armagh in two weeks which we are looking forward to. 

“It’s great to be going back to an Ulster final, it’s the pinnacle for people in this part of the country. It's a very special day for anybody who gets a chance to be there and play there. We’re delighted with where we’re at and we’ll just go out and do our best in two weeks.”