Donegal manager Jim McGuinness has admitted that winning the Ulster Football Championship title was a ‘lifetime ambition’ for many of his players after they beat Derry 1-11 to 0-08 in Clones in the final on Sunday.
Michael Murphy’s controversial penalty inspired Donegal to victory to end a 19-year period without an Ulster crown for McGuinness’ county.
The Donegal boss said: ‘It is fantastic to be associated with the team and that all the work the players have put in has come to fruition in a short space of time.
‘A lot of them have fulfilled a lifetime ambition and that can’t be understated. I’m delighted to be associated with a team that works so hard, for each other and their county.
‘It is nice working with them. When you’re coaching players who are prepared to learn and listen it is enjoyable. That dynamic has been there all year. It has come to this today and it is great.
‘It was a long gap to be bridged of 19 years. We’re just delighted that a lot of things we were working on during the week on the training pitch have come off. We played very well and did a professional job and we’re Ulster champions.
‘It is a phenomenal lift for the county and it is phenomenal for the players as well. They have put in an awful lot of work since the turn of the year. There were an awful lot of sacrifices made by the players. They hoped this day would come for them and it has. It is fantastic.’
Donegal lost Kevin Rafferty to injury before the game and key midfielder Rory Kavanagh was forced off with a knock.
McGuinness used his five substitutes in the 70 minutes and he was delighted to see a plan to build a squad fit for the Championship come good.
‘We tried to use the Allianz League this year as a platform to develop players for Championship football. We tried to develop a group of players that can play at that level and our squad was tested today.
‘We were very happy with Neil Gallagher’s performance and Mark McElhinney when he came on. They were going very well in training anyway so we knew they were chomping at the bit to get a chance at it. Thankfully that wee bit of depth stood to us.
‘We go down to Dublin now as champions and hopefully that gives the lads a lift in terms of confidence. Obviously it will be difficult opponents whoever it is but at the same time it is great to be in the position we’re in now.’
