We’re in seventh heaven!
They said we played our All Ireland final against Kerry and that the mighty Cork would stop our gallop.
But the python that is the Donegal backline squeezed the life out of Cork at Croke Park this afternoon.
Add to that a new found potency about the Donegal attack and now we know why people like Joe Brolly are calling us All Ireland champions in waiting.
Cork matched Donegal point for point in the first half.
But not for the first time Jim McGuinness’ side emerged from the dressing room with a hunger rarely seen at Croke Park.
And for ten minutes they proceeded to eat Graham Canty and his team.
That said Donegal squandered a huge amount of chances and should have been out of sight with ten minutes to go.
Glenswilly man Neil Gallagher, so often the bridesmaid, was a tower of strength in the middle of the park.
His fellow clubman showed flashes of what he can do but perhaps Michael Murphy is saving it for the final.
Karl Lacey looked like he could be the new Seamus Coleman with superb on the ground control to twart attack after attack by Cork.
Cork got a late glimmer of hope when they scored a goal to make it 0-16 to 1-11 in the 71st minute.
To a man Donegal were working their socks off and the crowd played their part as well as Tir Conaill supporters outnumbered their opponents by three to one
We’re there and we’re there on merit.
We took the difficult route and the entire county should be proud of what we have done.
Roll on September.
DONEGAL: 1. P Durcan; 5. E McGee, 4. F McGlynn (0-1), 3. N McGee; 2. P McGrath, 7. A Thompson (0-1), 6. K Lacey (0-2); 8. N Gallagher, 9. R Kavanagh (0-1); 10. R Bradley, 11. L McLoone, 12. M McHugh (0-1); 15. C McFadden (0-5, two frees, one 45), 14. M Murphy (0-3, three frees), 13. P McBrearty. Subs: 19. David Walsh (0-1) for Bradley (30 mins), 17. M McElhinney (0-1) for Kavanagh (59 mins), 25. Declan Walsh for McGlynn (68 mins), 20. C Toye for McFadden (72 mins), 22. D McLaughlin for McBrearty (72 mins). Yellow card: McFadden (36 mins).
CORK: 1. A Quirke; 7. N O’Leary, 4. E Cadogan, 3. M Shields; 5. P Kissane, 6. G Canty, 10. F Goold; 8. A O’Connor, 9. A Walsh (0-1); 21. C Sheehan (0-3), 11. P Kelly (0-1), 12. P Kerrigan (0-2); 19. D Goulding (0-1, free), 14. D O’Connor, 13. C O’Neill (1-3). Subs: 20. P O’Neill for Goold (half-time), 23. D O’Sullivan for A O’Connor (48 mins), 15. N Murphy for D O’Connor (56 mins). Yellow cards: Walsh (41 mins), Canty (62 mins).
Referee: D Coldrick (Meath).
