McGuinness on aftermatch tussle: 'I was giving my daughter a hug at the time'

Jim McGuinness admitted he didn’t see the trigger that started the tussle moments after the end of Donegal’s victory over Armagh in the Ulster SFC final.

Donegal were confirmed as winners of the Anglo-Celt Cup as Daire Ó Baoill drilled the ball high into the Hill terrace at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones on Saturday evening, on a 2-23 to 0-28 scoreline.

As supporters quickly spilt onto the field of play, a melee with players and officials from both sides developed and Armagh captain Aidan Forker could be seen remonstrating with the Donegal manager, who had been with family members at the time.

“I don't have a perspective on that,” McGuinness said afterwards when asked about the incident. “It's not nice. It shouldn't happen. I was giving my daughter a hug at the time. I didn't see what happened, but no, it shouldn't be in the game.”

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McGuinness was more content to speak of the game, where he admitted his side could’ve managed a little better on occasion, but said the character and desire shown by his players was pivotal to the epic victory.

Donegal attempted to hold onto possession when one up as the 70 minutes drew to a close, only for Oisin Conaty to draw Armagh level - but when Donegal got their noses in front in the second period of extra-time, they held on.

“You know, the game was asking questions and the clock was there,” McGuinness added. “And I think every county in Ireland are working on scenario-based final phases. Armagh is probably the best team in the country at that.

“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've got to be able to be tactical and intensive and also understand that there's another dynamic in the corner there that you have to manage. 

“So to be out the other side and to be victorious and to be honest with you, that moment there when Armagh went hard on the press, 20 seconds, 25 seconds to go, they left two or three men on the weak side in extra-time. You know, the way Stephen McMenamin and Finbarr Roarty managed that was the flip of what we would have hoped would have happened with a minute to go in normal time.

“I know it was epic, but listen, in football it's funny. Some of the greatest moments are just very simple moments. They're not always the bright lights like today. So it's a tricky one to answer that. But I suppose, without repeating myself, the Ulster Championship asks questions of you. And if you can stand up and answer those questions, you learn a lot more about yourself and about your players. And we've managed to do that again today. And we have to now take the learnings, and there is going to be a significant amount, take the learnings from the game and see we can apply those now to the group stage and to the All-Ireland Series.”