Ciaran Thompson never had any doubts as Niall O’Donnell lined up Donegal winner

Ciaran Thompson said he never doubted Niall O’Donnell’s composure as his Donegal teammate sized up the opportunity that finally settled another dramatic Ulster SFC final.

Armagh pounced late on in normal time as the excellent Oisin Conaty kicked his side’s 23rd point to tie things up with Donegal’s impressive 1-20 haul.

It looked ominous as some of Jim McGuinness’ most influential players began to break down, with the likes of Michael Murphy, Ryan McHugh and Brendan McCole all departing with injuries of some description.

When Jarly Óg Burns kicked the Orchard men into the lead for the first time at the start of extra time, it felt like a momentum shift.

But Donegal’s sheer desire and quality off the bench meant they refused to buckle. O’Donnell, one of those replacements, tied matters up once more just before the hooter at the end of the first period.

St Eunan’s clubmate Ciaran Moore’s goal was huge after the changeover, after Armagh talisman Stefan Campbell, also introduced from the sideline, once again pushed Kieran McGeeney’s team in front.

Ethan Rafferty bridged that gap with a huge two-point free, and it looked like penalties were again going to be needed to split these fiercest of rivals.

But O’Donnell wasn’t finished yet. He was the one driving forward to get on the end of a quick ‘give and go’ with Michael Langan before curling over what would prove to be this pulsating contest’s decisive score.

Donegal saw out the clock, and those final moments, Thompson explains, were as tense as it gets in championship football.

“The new rules - the hooter and stop clock - it’s just a real pressure cooker, but we saw it out,” he told DonegalLive.

“It was unbelievable. The Ulster Championship - I don’t know what it is, but it just brings out the best in lads.

“Every game is just a battle. And if you’re not prepared to go deep into the trenches, you won’t come out the right side.

“It looked like we had it won at certain stages, but they are All-Ireland champions for a reason. They came back into it and got in front in extra time.

“They might have felt they had the momentum then, but our bench has been unbelievable. Those lads came in when fresh legs were really needed.

“We got the important scores, and Niall O’Donnell there at the end, off the left foot - when he lined it up, I never had any doubts.

“It’s just amazing to get over the line.”

Naomh Conaill ace Thompson has had some huge days for Donegal, but given the dynamics of this encounter - and the motivation and determination Armagh brought to the table - seeing that off was extra sweet.

READ NEXT: Marksmen: How the Donegal players rated against Armagh 

“It’s right up there, if I’m being honest. Coming from the preliminary round and getting past the All-Ireland champions after extra time - no one can say we haven’t earned this.”

Thompson pauses mid-sentence to give the approaching Finnbarr Roarty a huge embrace and slap on the back, as the debutant teen dances on past into the Donegal dressing room.

Thompson says he’s just delighted that Roarty has tasted provincial glory at the first attempt.

“He’s a class act. He’s an absolute beast - a turnover machine. And I’m so happy for him, as much as anything. He’s an Ulster champion in his first season. That’s just lovely.”