Jim McGuinness expects the margins to be minuscule when Donegal meet Armagh in the Ulster SFC final in two weeks’ time.
Donegal defeated Down 1-19 to 0-16 at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones to reach a 12th provincial decider in 15 seasons and will renew acquaintances with Armagh, who squeezed past Tyrone 0-23 to 0-22 on Saturday evening.
Against Down, Donegal were always in control of their own destiny – boosted by a first half goal by Patrick McBrearty – although were pushed for spells by the team managed by Conor Laverty.
“Happy to get to the Ulster final,” McGuinness said. “It was a tough battle out there again. All the games are the same. It was a massive battle and we knew that Down were going to bring that. We had to be patient in some ways and try to get over the line by hook or by crook.
“Recovery now is needed. That’s our third game in three weeks. We’re happy to be in the final. Arnagh are back there again and that will be a massive challenge. We know what will be coming but we also know that it will be a massive occasion. We have to look forward to it as well.”
Last season Donegal defeat Kieran McGeeney’s team 6-5 on penalties following a 0-20 to 0-20 draw after extra-time and 0-17 to 0-16 in the Division 2 final at Croke Park, with the regulation league fixture finishing in a draw at the Athletic Grounds. Armagh, though, were the ones celebrating into the winter having won Sam Maguire for the second time.
“In Ulster championship games, you have to have patience and they always come to light at some stage,” McGuinness said. “It’s just important that you’re ready for that and hopefully you take your moment when the moment comes. That was our third out of three weeks. That’s a lot of going for both the players and the supporters.
“Obviously, ourselves and Armagh know each other really well at this stage. We played them last year in the final and in the league and we’ll be looking forward to that challenge. They’re All-Ireland champions and they came through a brilliant game against Tyrone – it was an enthralling game. There’s a massive challenge ahead of us.”
