Donegal ace Shaun Patton on the mindset during crucial last play against Mayo 

Shaun Patton had only seconds to gather a loose ball at the foot of his post and get it away as quickly as possible. 

Mayo had just tied matters up in Dr Hyde Park as Fergal Boland landed a score that seemed to save his side’s championship season. 

However, in the blink of an eye, Patton had already got matters back underway and with the hooter signalling at the same time Ciaran Moore galloped down field, the Donegal custodian believed it was on. 

And as he watched his St Eunan’s teammate sear towards the Mayo posts, his last-gasp effort tipped Donegal over the line in a dramatic 0-19 to 1-15 win. 

Speaking after, Patton explained just what was going through his head as those chaotic last few seconds unfolded. 

“We’re quite happy because there was a hectic finish there. We are glad to get over the line and we’re looking forward to a home game in Ballybofey.

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“It’s obviously important to get your hands on the ball fast for kickouts. And that’s become harder now because of the new rules. 

“I knew it was coming close to the end. But regardless of whether it’s the first kickout or the last like there today, the priority is to make sure we get hands on ball. 

“That last phase, I was just glad to see us getting the ball to hand. And Ciaran put the foot down and off he went”. 

Mayo must surely have thought they’d secured their spot in the preliminary quarter-final with that glorious Boland point in the dying seconds. 

But because of Patton’s quick actions, there was still time for one more kickout, though. Jason McGee would pluck it out of the sky and send Moore on his way. 

And Patton couldn’t believe the directness and energy Moore was still able to muster at that stage.

“Ciaran’s score at the end, it says a lot about him as a player. He’d 70 minutes hard running already under his belt. 

“He has a fantastic engine but he’s also very honest and I was delighted to see him kick the winner in the end”.

Patton had made a very welcome return from injury on Sunday having missed both previous All-Ireland group stage outings, including the home loss to Tyrone and their win over Cavan, last time out, at Breffni Park. 

“I’m good and it was just good to get back out there. I missed five weeks but it’s well cleared up now”.