Donegal's old dogs for the hard road end Derry's journey

Championship is finally here, thank God.

Donegal’s Brendan McCole and Hugh McFadden celebrate at the final whistle. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

Maybe Derry should have gotten a little bit more luck. Maybe a penalty call could have gone for them in the sixth minute when Stephen McMenamin’s tug brought Shane McGuigan to the ground.

Perhaps they might have forced extra-time as they dithered and tried to show composure despite a few half chances opening up. And they had a chance palmed onto the crossbar when the excellent Padraig Cassidy passed across the face of goal but Benny Heron still had to climb and his palmed effort hit the woodwork.