Shaun Patton: Hero of the hour who didn’t look in the warm-up like he’d be playing at all. Saved the crucial penalty. Kickouts were a breeze, Armagh struggled to press. 7.5
Mark Curran: Detailed to primarily pick up Rory Grugan, he did ok defensively but was withdrawn at the interval. 6
Brendan McCole: Tended to stay close to his own square and Andrew Murnin played on that, having great joy deep, though McCole was hardly ever on him in the traditional sense. 6.5
Ciaran Moore: Drifted to full-forward twice early on to good effect but struggled defensively with Conor Turbitt in the first half. Turned over a couple of times. 6.5
Eoghan Ban Gallagher: A surprise late introduction to the starting team after three months out, he struggled to get up to the pace of the game and had limited impact. 6
Caolan McGonagle: Grows with each passing week into a really intelligent spine for Donegal’s defence. Knows when to sit and when to go. Turns up late in games, a great marker of his importance and confidence. 7.5
Ryan McHugh: Had the very alert and alive Oisin Conaty for company and never got into the game, leaking two points going the other way as well. 5.5
Jason McGee: Much like in the Tyrone game, he found his way into it and was good from half-time onwards. Has come up with some big scores this summer, none moreso than his side’s second-last point in normal time. 8
Michael Langan: Doing a very different role very diligently. Tracked Rian O’Neill religiously and did a superb job at it. Got on more and more ball as the game went on. Scored a penalty. 8
Peadar Mogan: He was the one threat Armagh couldn’t tie down in the first half. Floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. Quieter beyond that but still effective. 8
Ciaran Thompson: Has taken his time getting into games but came up with a couple of big plays, including the vital assist for McGee’s critical point. Stepped up and nailed his penalty. 6
Daire Ó Baoill: Didn’t have a great first 45 minutes barring one point but after being taken off, came back on again as he had against Tyrone and was much better. Cool with his penalty. 6.5
Shane O’Donnell: Two really fine first-half points, the better of them off his weaker left. Got through the whole 90 minutes working hard. 7
Oisin Gallen: Truly outstanding first-half, it was borderline Frank McGuigan ‘84 stuff the points he was kicking, but he couldn’t sustain it and faded out of proceedings, taken off in extra-time. 8
STAR MAN: Niall O’Donnell: At just about every point in the game where Donegal needed lifted, O’Donnell lifted them. Critical to them staying alive from four down, scoring twice and assisting twice in the second half. Outstanding game. 9
SUBS
Caolan McColgan: Added more dynamism but his composure just let him down on the ball. 6.5
Patrick McBrearty: The captain kicked two big points having earlier missed chances. 6.5
Aaron Doherty: Took his penalty well. 6
Jamie Brennan: On his 100th appearance, which was nicely marked after the game by his captain, Brennan didn’t hurt Armagh with the ball he had. 6
Jeaic McKelvey: Shanked a couple of shots before nailing one. 6.5
Odhran Doherty: Lovely spinner to send the game to penalties. 6
