Well done to Donegal, they somehow found a way to win even though I can't say they necessarily deserved it on the balance of play. Neither did Armagh though as others have stated.
Yet again we found an ourselves in a tight game going down the stretch. It was always likely to end up in such an outcome when you engage in a low risk, possession style game of you attack, we attack. Then it becomes a 50/50 game of nerve and long distance kicking contest. Our efficiency was off the charts for 45/50 minutes but deserted us as the game wore on.
We can look back with regret on marks not taken, a missed mark, a gilt edged goal chance not taken and a few questionable refereeing decisions but ultimately we didn't do enough to win the match. The fear of losing took over again going down the stretch as I feared it might. Horrible to lose on penalties again but the rules are the same for both sides so no complaints, we didn't do enough to win the game even though I felt we were the better side for large parts.
It will be a tough ask to lift the team for the qualifiers now and unfortunately it might be the last chance some of those players had of lifting silverware.
Fair play to Donegal though they won that Ulster the hard way from a very difficult draw and even though it's not a pretty style of football I doubt if they'll care one jot now. McGuinness has proven himself as an elite manager again.
Yet again we found an ourselves in a tight game going down the stretch. It was always likely to end up in such an outcome when you engage in a low risk, possession style game of you attack, we attack. Then it becomes a 50/50 game of nerve and long distance kicking contest. Our efficiency was off the charts for 45/50 minutes but deserted us as the game wore on.
We can look back with regret on marks not taken, a missed mark, a gilt edged goal chance not taken and a few questionable refereeing decisions but ultimately we didn't do enough to win the match. The fear of losing took over again going down the stretch as I feared it might. Horrible to lose on penalties again but the rules are the same for both sides so no complaints, we didn't do enough to win the game even though I felt we were the better side for large parts.
It will be a tough ask to lift the team for the qualifiers now and unfortunately it might be the last chance some of those players had of lifting silverware.
Fair play to Donegal though they won that Ulster the hard way from a very difficult draw and even though it's not a pretty style of football I doubt if they'll care one jot now. McGuinness has proven himself as an elite manager again.