Jim McGuinness was happy with how his side dealt with the tough test asked of his charges away to Monaghan in Sunday' Ulster quarter-final.
The much-fancied Donegal side were pushed right to the final hooter in Clones but ran out two point winners, securing the 0-23 to 0-21 victory against the in-form Farney outfit.
Donegal led by six points at the break, however, Monaghan fought hard to the death and were disappointed that the hooter brought an end to their comeback, as they had brought the tie to just one kick of the football by the end of the contest.
Donegal manager McGuinness said afterwards that he was delighted with the result knowing that his side would be tested against a team who had shown great form in the league – Monaghan topped the Division 2 table – and he felt that his side managed their threat throughout.
"Away from home, against Monaghan, it was always going to be a tough battle," said McGuinness, speaking to RTE Sport.
"Their league campaign, winning the league and playing well brought huge confidence, and the numbers they were putting up in the league ran through into the game today.
"Particularly with the two-pointers and the way they go after them. I think they had five today, which is half of their scores almost. So trying to manage that was a big part of the game.
"But from our own point of view, absolutely delighted, and there were a lot of positives as well," he added.
McGuinness was particularly pleased with how his side responded to the second-half comeback as Donegal maintained their lead and eventually saw the game out.
The manager put it down to the team’s character, which he believes has been building throughout the previous two years and was in abundance in the Clones victory.
"It’s a trait that has been in the team the last couple of years, but it was the most pleasing part of today, we responded every single time that the question was asked, which is great," said McGuinness, when asked about the team’s ability to go up an extra gear when needed.
"There were a couple of goal chances that if we buried them, it might have been a wee bit easier for us, because the game is never gone even when you get to 67 minutes there is always that drama that’ in the background, but we have to get used to that."
Looking ahead to the semi-finals, Donegal will take on Down for a place in this year’s Ulster decider next weekend, McGuinness is hopeful that Ryan McHugh will be fit after picking up a nasty wound that needed medical attention at half-time in Sunday’s game.
"Two games in and we’re progressing to the semi-final next Sunday and we’re thankful for being there," said McGuinness.
"He (McHugh) got a gash on his shin, it was deep, he had to get stitched at half-time, but it wasn’t affecting his running so he was happy to go back in and hopefully we get him right for next weekend."
And as for the hooter, bringing an end to Monaghan’s hopes of forcing extra time with a late two-pointer, or perhaps winning the game with a late goal, McGuinness said that he was unsure what was going on at the time, but added that it was symptomatic of the year so far since the introduction of the new rules.
"It’s been part of the whole season so far where there’s situations where we’re looking at each other as coaches and asking 'is that right, is that not right, can he go inside the 21 to pick that ball up, is that the game over?’
"I was just as confused as the Monaghan bench as to keeping track of what happened.
"My understanding is that the hooter went while the ball was in the air so when the ball was punched for the sideline ball, then technically they punched the ball out of play after the hooter, and that was the clarification we got.
"We’re all getting used to all that as well, but you just have to suck it up as I’m sure there are going to be plenty of talking points between now and July."
