Niamh Harkin  on the long journey towards All-Ireland glory, on and off the pitch

Niamh Harkin admits Saturday morning was a bit of an ordeal as Donegal got up, met up and set sail for Kinnegad in Westmeath. 

With the geographical spread of Declan McDermott’s squad touching all corners of the county, Letterkenny was the designated meet up point. From there, a three and a half hour trek took them to their destination. 

Upon arrival, they were informed that All-Ireland final opposition Waterford were in fact a half hour behind schedule. It was hardly ideal but Donegal just had to refocus and make sure they didn’t let the delay distract them. 

Skipper Harkin explains that Donegal didn’t let their guard down in that extra 30 minutes of respite. 

Everything had been meticulously planned from the moment she woke that same morning and the Donegal management made sure that the team tapered their pre-game schedule as a result. 

“We were up early, 7am,” the Naomh Padraig Uisce Chaoin girl explained. “We had to be in Letterkenny for 8.30 as that’s where we were all meeting for the bus. It took us three and a half hours to get down the road. It was certainly a trek but all’s well that ends well. 

“The delay wasn’t that big a deal. We were told to use it to get the legs moving, to shake them into life. And we’ll certainly not complain about heading back up the road that’s for sure. We have the cup and that’s all that matters”. 

Donegal held a 0-7 to 0-4 lead at the break but with the strong wind in their sails in the second period, Pat O’Brien would have been forgiven for thinking his Waterford team was in the better place. 

However, Donegal would come out of the blocks following the restart in ruthless fashion and nearing the final five minutes, held a seven-point lead. Waterford did close it back to six nearing full time but Harkin and her teammates still looked like they were about to comfortably cross the line. 

But a conceded penalty and subsequent point meant what appeared like an unassailable lead was now suddenly reduced to just two points. Waterford then had an effort on goal cleared from the Donegal line. 

Donegal though would counter and with substitute Abbie McGranaghan lamping in a decisive three-pointer, Donegal were the new All-Ireland champions. 

“Waterford were strong and physical,” Harkin explained. “That was the toughest game we had this year. They were so quick and direct. We had to really step it up but we were well prepared for it.

“We did probably expect to have a better lead at the break. We’d played well enough and we had the breeze. We had a good chat in the changing room and we really came out in better fashion for the second-half”. 

In regards to the late, late drama, Harkin says those last few nervy moments actually made the final whistle sound all the sweeter as Donegal had dug so deep to survive that Waterford onslaught. 

“It was definitely nerve wracking there towards the end. You look at the scoreboard and it’s down to just two points. They went up one end and went close to a goal. I don’t know which of our girls cleared it off the line. 

“But Abbie McGranaghan grabbed the goal and it was then really that we knew we were over the line”. 

She added: “It’s a really proud day and we’ve girls from all corners of the county. Ten of the starting team are also back next year so that’s very encouraging. I’m sure they’ll be right back here in 12 months time.

“I think it’s exciting times for Donegal ladies football”.