Managers Reaction: "Delighted to get out of it, to be honest. It was a hard struggle but the experience of being here on a big day really stood to us. When Jim's goal went in, we kept our composure and went up and got good scores, which was vital. They worked their socks off and when the final whistle went, they were gone. That's the great thing about these lads, they give it all. Now, who knows?" - Armagh manager Joe Kernan

"It's not the cup I want to lift," stated Kieran McGeeney as the masses fell back at such heresy. How times have changed. Three years ago, Armagh felt blessed by the heavens on the field at Clones. Now, their captain is looking to the days ahead.

They all are.

"Well, it is only the beginning of something," said John McEntee. " The All-Ireland is our goal. The first year we won Ulster was a fantastic achievement. But it wasn't good enough the next year. And it's three years down the line at this stage and it is not good enough any more. We have to go and win the All-Ireland.

"We've had loads of opportunities. Our greatest was probably against Kerry and we threw it away. And we just don't want that same sick feeling again at the end of this year. But the experience will stand to us."

In the tunnel, Oisin McConville is echoing the words of McEntee, his old friend and clubmate from Cross'. "It is brilliant but we have seen this before and we just want to go that step forward. You can win as many Ulster titles as you want but you'll never be remembered until you win an All-Ireland. We are still not there but we are happy enough so far. We just want to keep winning. Whether we do or not is another thing."

Donegal, beaten narrowly four years ago, wanted the provincial honour with a desperation that Armagh would have felt at the beginning of this adventure. Outside a silent dressing-room, John Morrison, an Armagh man and part of Mickey Moran's coaching team, was reflective. "Armagh have been there and done it. No matter how you prepare boys, it was still an Ulster final - 30,000 people, it frightens even the strongest. But I was glad of their first goal, I felt it was a godsend because it forced us to settle.

"And I think big Joe (Kernan) felt he was in a game. We certainly put it up to them. Their economy of scoring was the difference. You can't shoot 14 or 15 wides and expect to win. But the beautiful thing of the qualifiers is it used to be a long road back but now we are still here. I don't intend to give this up easily.

"I'd love to meet Armagh in an All-Ireland final. Because I don't think we have met any team that much better than us. This is a monkey off Armagh's back because as a county, we had a fear of losing. But I was proud of Donegal today. There were several periods when it looked as if Armagh could run away with it but these young boys have character.

"I've already forgotten about this, I'm just thinking about training on Wednesday night. And we'll make sure we have these boys turned around."

Big Joe Kernan watched his team do a lap of honour with the distracted look of a man with other things on his mind.

"Delighted to get out of it, to be honest. It was a hard struggle but the experience of being here on a big day really stood to us. When Jim's goal went in, we kept our composure and went up and got good scores, which was vital. They worked their socks off and when the final whistle went, they were gone. That's the great thing about these lads, they give it all. Now, who knows?"

Across the field, Mickey Moran has the last word. "The boys will be disappointed but we have to lift them. That's the order now. Just simply not performing to our maximum was the most hurtful thing. But we have to be positive now and just go for it."

So who would he like to meet now? "Phew. Maybe South Korea. They would have more beer in them now, wouldn't they? Nah, we have to go through the back door now and see what happens. That's our fate."