Patience was a virtue for Donegal's extra-time hero Niall O’Donnell 

Niall O’Donnell thought he’d been left kicking his heels on the bench as Donegal seemed to be on their way to retaining their Ulster crown. 

However, seconds out from the end of normal time, crossed wires between Michael Langan and Peader Mogan resulted in Armagh countering and, right at the death, Oisin Conaty squared a pulsating contest up. 

In the end, O’Donnell was sprung at the start of extra-time and his two-point contribution, including the game’s winning effort, was the labour of a player that seems determined to see more action from this point on. 

“It's unbelievable because when you're not used in the five subs, you don't think you're going to get your chance. Typically, that's it. 

“Not all games go to extra-time but I knew as soon as it went to extra-time that I had to get myself right. 

“I knew I was going to have a part. It was easier for me knowing I was going to be playing. so I just had to get my head right. 

“Because you know in normal time you're thinking how are you going to get on? Are you not going to get on and they're going to call you?

“Obviously they didn't but I'm just glad that I got a chance thankfully. I know I've been training well, so I'm just happy that I got to show that out on the pitch”.

With both sets of players cramping up, physically and mentally, the energy-sapping hotpot that Clones was on Saturday night seemed to be simmering matters towards penalty kicks once more.

But O’Donnell found a pocket on the left-hand side and cool as a cucumber and with a full tank of gas, headwise and in the legs, he calmly kicked Donegal towards another Anglo Celt.  

READ NEXT: 'I was prepared to contribute in any way I could' - Michael Murphy 

“I felt that was fresh so I probably felt that I was the best man to hit them kicks to be honest, especially when you're just into the mix if you know what I mean. 

“So I just felt that I wanted to take that on. I felt like I wanted to get on the ball, I wanted to make things work and I just happened to get in the right position”.

Lost in all of that is the fact that O’Donnell also took on the responsibility of Donegal’s last free where possession needed to be retained and the clock run down. 

As he scanned into the bright Clones sun, Eoin McHugh made a dart. O’Donnell softly clipped towards the Kilcar man who did really well to collect, on the bounce, and under real pressure. 

Finnbarr Roarty and Stephen McMenamin took over and seconds later, the final whistle signalled. 

O’Donnell admits his heart did skip a beat in between the ball leaving his foot and McHugh safely collecting. But he has complete faith in his teammate in that instance. 

“Eoin McHugh, fair play to him because I thought it was a 50-50 ball but he came out the right side of it thankfully. That was a massive moment but I'm just thankful he got it. I knew he would!”