Peadar Mogan: I was once one of those kids going mental

Donegal earned a dramatic Ulster final win against Armagh on Sunday.

Armagh’s Rory Grugan is pursued by Peadar Mogan of Donegal on Sunday. Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Does it feel like the first time? In his first reign, Jim McGuinness won three Ulster titles in four years. It ignited with their 2011 triumph as they ended a 19-year wait. Ask Peadar Mogan and he’ll chart how that day led to this one.

The number seven was superb on Sunday as Donegal denied Armagh a first Anglo-Celt Cup in 16 years after penalties. In normal time, he created two points and scored one. At the start of the second half of extra-time, he popped over his second score to leave it level once more.

Post-match Mogan basked in the glow as a green and gold wave consumed the field in Clones. Just like 2011? Let him explain. He was there.

“I remember running on here when Donegal won that first Ulster,” he says outside the triumphant dressing room. “I was one of those kids going mental. Mental. Running hugging players, straight to Donegal town after, so that gave me a bit of a lift to go on and play. That is what it is all about. Showing them what a wee bit of hard work does. The belief. Get people talking, get a buzz back in Donegal football.” 

The Naomh Naille club man reckons he could remember every score in every game during their run to the 2012 All-Ireland. He wants this group to have a similar legacy. As captain Paddy McBrearty declared during his victory speech, it spurred them on. That is what keeps them coming back.

“I think supporters want to get behind a team that runs and works hard,” says Mogan. “Yes, they want to get behind a team who kick scores and all that but see a team that runs and runs, dogs about like, that is what a team can get behind. That is what the Donegal crowd were looking to get behind. For years, we maybe did them a misjustice or disservice. We are delighted and thankful that we are able to do this.” 

The conclusion of normal time feels almost lost in a tie rife with countless mental moments. Neither team scored for the final ten minutes after McBrearty’s equaliser. Tiernan Kelly pulled a mark wide. Donegal had a kickout and one final chance to push for a winner.

However, there is no game clock in St Tiernach's Park and the announcement for three added minutes came over the Tannoy when the majority of it had already been played. Ryan McHugh made for the officials after the whistle sounded. Did they know how long was left?

“Not a clue,” Mogan explains.

“I remember running and asking the referee, can we get something? But he says, he is telling us but there is just so much noise. You were shouting and can’t hear. It probably shows the need for a shot clock in every stadium.

“I think over the years they used to always finish out the play, but it seems like this year, when time is up the ref is blowing it and that is it. Look, we should get a shot away. We were very lucky. There were just some wasteful chances in extra-time, we were grateful we got it to penalties and it was luck then.”