Another Ulster final epic went to extra-time – the third in a row to do so – and it was holders Donegal who repeated last year's victory over Armagh to retain their title.
Substitute Niall O’Donnell steered over the winner to confirm what most of the GAA world already knew – that Jim McGuinness has moulded a team with serious aspirations of even greater glory before this summer is out.
The provincial championships are alive and well, and this was another shot in the arm for the much-loved northern series and its enduring appeal.
Gripping deciders in Connacht and Ulster and a Leinster revolution along the Boyne have reinforced traditional values, despite Munster’s continuing struggle to matter.
And the allure of the Anglo-Celt Cup continues to stand the test of time.
Armagh - beaten on penalties in 2023 and 2024 - hadn’t won it since 2008, and even an All-Ireland title did not diminish the hunger for regional supremacy, but their courage in fighting back twice from seven points down to go ahead for the first time in extra-time was not enough.
And Clones delivered once again, in its own unique manner, as 30,000 souls made the pilgrimage to the Co Monaghan town for this annual festival of colour, passion, triumph and despair.
Following a cagey opening quarter, Donegal began to find avenues through which to hurt the All-Ireland champions, chiefly by dominating Ethan Rafferty's kick-outs.
Daire O Baoill had already identified flaws, using his direct running lines to slice through the cover, almost creating a goal on one occasion for Peadar Mogan, who was denied by Rafferty.
The sides were deadlocked on 0-02 each when Ciaran Thompson landed the game’s first two-pointer after ten minutes, and from there to the break, Donegal were on the rise.
Michael Murphy made an outrageous one-handed fetch while losing his balance to win a free for Paddy McBrearty to tap over, and McFadden, Caolan McGonagle and Michael Langan attacked the Armagh kick-out as they established a dominant platform around the middle.
And after a quiet opening, Oisin Gallen exploded into the game, kicking four sweet points on the spin to push McGuinness’s men into a five-point lead, before Thompson, with another two-pointer, and Michael Langan left seven between the sides.
Armagh met the challenge head-on, stepping up the tempo to finish the half with a flourish, Oisin O’Neill with 0-03, including a two-pointer, to leave three between the sides at the interval, Donegal ahead by 0-14 to 0-11.
They had trimmed the deficit back to a single point through O’Neill and Ross McQuillan when Donegal struck for a 44th minute goal, Hugh McFadden lashing a loose ball first-time to the net after Conor O’Donnell had been dispossessed.
Darragh McMullan almost responded in kind instantly, firing his shot just wide, but Donegal were back in the groove, restoring the seven-point gap through Ciaran Moore as the game slipped into its final quarter.
70min: Armagh 0-23 Donegal 1-20
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Oisín Conaty takes it to extra-time in the Ulster final!
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Once again, Armagh’s character was in question, and again they answered in emphatic terms. Another Oisin O’Neill two-pointer, a gem off sub Stefan Campbell’s first touch and another Conaty effort had them back two within two
Jason McGee had the defending provincial champions three clear going down the stretch, and they looked assured in protecting possession, even after Campbell and Jason Duffy had narrowed the gap.
But a careless lapse allowed Conaty one last opportunity, and he nailed a glorious equaliser with the game’s last kick, deadlocked at 0-23 to 1-20.
Armagh had not held the lead at any point in normal time, but Jarly Óg Burns edged them ahead in extra-time, and they held on to the advantage until after the hooter had sounded, when Niall O’Donnell brought the sides level again.
But crucially Donegal were able to plunder the Orchard for a second goal on 83 minutes, Ciaran Moore accepting Michael Langan’s assist to smash his shot past Rafferty.
Rafferty levelled again with a two-point free, but Niall O’Donnell had the last say, Langan again the provider for his glorious 88th minute winner.
Donegal: S Patton; F Roarty, B McCole, P Mogan (0-01); R McHugh, C McGonagle, C Moore (1-01); C Thompson (0-04, 2tp), M Langan (0-02); D O Baoill (0-01), H McFadden (1-00), S O’Donnell; P McBrearty (0-03, 3f), M Murphy (0-03), O Gallen (0-04).
Subs: C O’Donnell (0-01) for McBrearty (42), J McGee (0-01) for McFadden (49), J Brennan for O Baoill (51), E McHugh for Moore (54), A Doherty for Gallen (64),N O’Donnell (0-02) for Brennan (71), McBrearty for Murphy (76), O Baoill for McHugh (78), Moore for S O’Donnell (81), S McMenamin for McCole (83).
Armagh: E Rafferty (0-03,1’45, 1tpf); P Burns, B McCambridge, A Forker; R McQuillan (0-03), G McCabe, J Og Burns (0-01); C O’Neill (0-01), B Crealey (0-01); D McMullan, R Grugan, O Conaty (0-06); T Kelly, A Murnin (0-01), O O’Neill (0-07, 1tp, 1tpf).
Subs: C Turbitt for Kelly (41), S Campbell (0-03) for C O’Neill (49), P McGrane for McCabe (54), J Duffy (0-02) for O O’Neill (59), N Grimley for Forker (61), C Mackin for Murnin (71), C McConville for Conaty (78), S McPartlan for Grugan (83), T McCormack for McQuillan (87).
Referee: B Cawley (Kildare).
