Proud Jim fixes it for a final frenzy

Few will forget what they witnessed at Croke Park yesterday, but this was one occasion where the sounds will reverberate every bit as much as the sights.

From the piercing war cries of the Donegal players as they emerged from their cocoon of a dressing-room through to the guttural urgings of the estimated 42,000 souls who travelled from the north-west, the effect was a surround sound that smothered the senses in much the same way as Jim McGuinness’ players did Cork.

It was the Donegal manager who orchestrated the crescendo by shaking a triumphant fist at the devoted hordes on the Hogan Stand as he left the stage. After this, the Ulsterman may finally have the entire country singing a similar tune and he accepted it was his most satisfying day yet on the sideline.