Mogan: It was always going to be a one or two point game

Out on the Celtic Park pitch in Derry on Sunday evening the Donegal supporters swarmed around their heroes getting photos and jerseys signed. Among them was Peadar Mogan who had a smile as wide as the River Eany.

He was after putting in another massive shift, involved in so much of Donegal’s good work in finding a way to get over Tyrone by two points after extra-time.

“It was tough, just energy sapping. It was an Ulster game at the end of the day.  There was so much on the line for both teams and they played like that.

“It wasn’t really open compared to last week. It was a completely different kind of championship game. It was more of an Ulster championship game than what the other one was. A lot of mistakes, a lot of turnovers, a lot of bad shots, but look, it was one of those games you had to dig out.

“Tyrone came out and set out their stall early. They conceded kick-outs, they got their frees, they got their scores from play and they well deserved to be up at half-time.

“That’s the way they wanted to play. And we had to come out and chase then.

“But at the start of the second half we got a few scores and we started to bring it back level, a wee bit fortuitous at the end in terms of the shot that we took and getting the lucky break.  But you earn them kind of breaks,” said Mogan, who agreed it was a St Naul’s man, Brendan McCole, in the right place.

“And with his left foot,” laughs Mogan. “But we’ll take it.

“Look, it’s just such a brilliant day to be back in  an Ulster final.”

Mogan was one of three players from the St Naul’s club who made up the starting 15 with Gavin Mulreany making his first championship start and Brendan McCole at full-back.

“Yeah, it’s a great day for the club too (with three players starting).  It’s not often three St Naul’s men take to the field in championship so we are absolutely delighted. The first time ever. 

“A lot of it goes down to the work done at underage by Donie McCole. I can tell you now, without him the three of us wouldn’t be standing where we are,” said Mogan, who said McCole’s influence had a massive part to play.

The schoolteacher based in Raphoe is enjoying his football under new manager Jim McGuinness.

“It’s been great, the organisation, everything. It has just brought a bit of buzz back to the county again. We’ve worked hard and we’re thankful that we’re back and still in the competition and we have a chance to win a bit of silverware now.”

There will be little let up as Donegal now have a weekend off before facing Armagh in the Ulster final on May 12th.

“It’s hard to play week on week. It’s more mentally than physically and I suppose the result last week not a lot of people expected it.

“It was tough on Tyrone (after playing extra-time last week). Look, anyone who knows football knows that it was always going to be a game like this. It was never going to be a game where there was going to be a lump of goals or a four or five point swing. It was always going to be a point or two. We knew that going in.”

Mogan was also delighted with the support the team had in the last two games, especially on Sunday when they outnumbered Tyrone by at least two to one.

“It was unusual but we are very grateful for it and we’re delighted for it and hopefully it will continue.

“You can see the lift it’s bringing people and it’s all everyone wants to talk about and we’re grateful for that too.”