'We have to savour this': Jim McGuinness toasts his toughest Ulster triumph

After leading Donegal to Ulster Championship glory for a fourth time, Jim McGuinness had no hesitation: This was the toughest.

After three-and-a-half hours of gripping drama, Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton saved the 12^th and final kick of the penalty shoot out.

After a 0-20 apiece stalemate, Patton denied Shane McPartlan and the ball had hardly touched the Letterkenny man's gloves before thousands swarmed from all corners of St Tiernach's Park.

“We have to savour this,” McGuinness said.

“We really have to savour this and enjoy it and then get back to reality.

“Ulster final day is a very special day. To win it is extra special. We are very thankful to be on the right side of it.”

Derry were seen as All-Ireland contenders and Tyrone had won the All-Ireland just three years ago.

With both beaten, another old foe in Armagh – beaten on penalties in the Ulster final last year – stood in McGuinness's way.

The Glenties man ended Donegal's 19-year wait for Ulster glory in 2011 and won three provincial crowns during his first spell.

This, however, tops the charts.

He said: “The quality of Derry, Tyrone a team that knew the big day and won the All-Ireland. This has got to be the toughest one. A double extra time too. It's definitely the toughest one that we have come through and time will tell how we feel about it.”

Donegal found themselves four behind and struggling in front of the posts when Niall O'Donnell scored in the 49^th minute. Donegal hadn't scored for 20 minutes and some were becoming restless.

McGuinness praised his players for holding firm during those testing moments.

He said: “We were four points down in a massive game and were able to respond. They have done that a couple of times now.

“We played Armagh up in Armagh and responded in a similar situation at the very end. The same thing happened in the League final.

“They have a habit of digging in in the big moments and not losing their heads. They had to stay in the game, trust the processes and keep believing.

“They did that really well when that four-point deficit crept in. It felt like, for the Armagh fans, that that was their moment. That doesn't mean anything because it's an intangible.

“When that starts to creep in, it's hard to turn. We're delighted that we managed to find a way to turn it.

“I'm so proud of them. There is so much talk about managers and coaches some times – too much talk. But the players, they bloody done it. They kicked the scores and they ran themselves into the ground.”

Odhran Doherty swung over the levelling score that forced penalties.

McGuinness and Kieran McGeeney, the Armagh manager, shared a word at that point. There was little or nothing either could do at that point.

“We're very fortunate,” McGuinness said.

“Luck, God, whatever you want to call it. We came out on the right side of it.

“Myself and Kieran had a word there before the penalties started. What do you do at that stage? What do you say? You just have to roll with the punches and put your faith and trust in it.”