Donegal tackle a new question — go for a score or hold on for the hooter?

The new rules had a seismic impact on the Ulster final

The Donegal team celebrate in the dressing room with the Ulster GAA Senior trophy. Pic: Ben Brady, Inpho

In the clutch. Twice Donegal had possession one point up with the clock ticking down. The first time they let the lead slip. In extra-time, they held on.

A pop pass to Peadar Mogan broke down in the final minute to allow Oisín Conaty kick an equaliser and extend the rollercoaster ride for a 28,788 crowd. Ultimately, Jim McGuinness’ side defended their Anglo Celt Cup to secure their 12th Ulster title.

“The Ulster Championship asks questions of you,” said McGuinness post-match. “And if you can stand up and answer those questions, you learn a lot more about yourself and about your players. And we have managed to do that again today.” 

The new rules had a seismic impact on the match. That was particularly apparent at the end. With the addition of a hooter, there is now a certain conclusion. Donegal opted to try wind down the clock before  Conaty’s late equaliser. They did it successfully at the end of extra-time after Niall O’Donnell’s winner.

“We were trying to manage the game,” McGuinness explained.

“The game was asking questions and the clock was there. I think every county in Ireland are working on scenario-based final phases. Armagh are probably the best team in the country at that.

“We had two possessions in the last minute where we didn't manage it well at all. So it was fantastic that the boys were able to see that last 30 seconds out there when the pressure was at its peak. So we have to trust them to make good decisions. We have to trust them to make good decisions and the clock is playing a part. You have got to be able to be tactical and intensive and also understand that there is another dynamic in the corner there that you have to manage. And we didn't do that well with 69 on the clock.”

Plenty of sides will face a similar scenario in this championship. Previously, there was legitimate fears that a referee may allow the clock to run beyond any minutes added on. Now there is certainty.

There was no need to change tack at the end of normal time. Donegal had a plan. They just needed to execute it better. Niall O’Donnell, who produced some significant points in last year’s encounter, kicked two monster scores in extra-time including the winner.

“It is all about going in and resetting,” said Peadar Mogan.

“You can’t dwell on it. The first thing when we go in is it is gone. Finished. We all said scrap it. That is it. We will take the learnings on Thursday but we won’t worry about it now. We have to go win a game. We did feel like we had legs. We had a wee bit in us. I think we missed three shots in a row there. We were still getting in.”

That was another huge call by management. Their last three shots were from substitutes who came on. Jamie Brennan kicked a wide, Jason McGee was blocked down, Aaron Doherty dropped a late opportunity short. At the start of extra-time, all three were taken off again.

On top of that, McGuinness had to deal with the looming possibility of another penalty shoot-out. The 2024 and 2023 Ulster final was decided in this fashion. Donegal were already considering who their five takers were going to be.

“We were thinking about it when we got to the end of normal time. That is what Armagh do to you. They are going to bring it down to the wire and they're going to try and find a way to stay in the game.”