'There was no silverware handed out today, we have to keep pushing on' - O'Donnell

Donegal star Niall O’Donnell admitted that his ambition is to leave everything out on the field every time he laces up a pair of football boots. There was no question in anyone's mind that on Sunday he did just that. 

He was one of the standout players for Jim McGuinness’s side following their Ulster semi-final win over Tyrone on Sunday where the green and gold side prevailed 0-18 to 0-16 points after extra-time. 

His performance alone was so outstanding that many argued for him to be named Man of the Match following his team’s victory. 

And if proof was needed to show that the St Eunan’s clubman gave his all throughout his time on the field, then one look towards the dressing room following the match was enough with the 25-year-old admitting that his body was ‘a bit sore’. He clearly had nothing left to give.   

“I’m sore after that match I have to say, it was a very tense game compared to last week’s one, and with only eight days to turn it around, the body is going to feel it, but we’re very happy overall with the win, you can’t ask for much more and now we have an Ulster final to look forward to,” O’Donnell said. 

“When we were planning the start of the year, we did say that we wanted to be in an Ulster final, that’s where we are now, so, it’s great to be in that position. There was no silverware handed out last week or today, so we have to keep pushing forward.” 

Despite Donegal entering the match as favourites, Tyrone set up in such a way, that they did not allow Donegal to play on their own terms. They were shut down in their attacking game, with the Red Hand County causing McGuinness’s men serious problems, particularly in the first half. 

“It was a different win compared to the Derry victory, but it’s almost better when you win those crunch games when there’s nothing between the sides,” the corner-forward said. 

“We can see Tyrone sat back for the majority of the game and let us have the kickouts and we had to try and break them down. That didn’t go too well for us in the first half, it was better after half-time, and then we just edged it in extra-time when they were fatigued due to last week’s game against Cavan, so we had that in our favour, but there was still nothing between us. 

“I think Tyrone frustrated us a lot in the first half. When we got our chances, we didn’t take them, which was disappointing. Our efficiency in front of goal this year has been really good, but today was the first time we probably came across that kind of challenge, so it’s something we have to work on, but it’s probably more satisfying to get that win because we had to dig so deep.” 

O’Donnell has only recently returned to the Donegal panel, having played his first competitive game of the season against Meath in the league last month.  

But since his return from injury, the St Eunan’s man has dominated on the field. When he got his chance to play, he was determined to prove his worth. 

“When you’re sitting back watching games it’s not easy, I wanted to be involved, so when you get your chance, you have to give it everything,” O’Donnell said.  

“That’s all I was thinking about those weeks when I was in the stand unable to play. I try to leave everything on the field every week, that’s all I’m aiming to do when I play.”