Derry player ratings
Odhran Lynch
Donegal put Derry’s kick-outs under immense pressure in the second half and Lynch was forced to go short on several occasions. Spilled Langan’s shot which was finished by Odhran McFadden Ferry. 6.5
Chrissy McKaigue
As expected, McKaigue was Paddy McBrearty’s shadow for the duration of the Ulster Final. McBrearty was often isolated as Donegal’s sole inside forward and McKaigue held him scoreless from play. 8
Brendan Rogers (Star-Man)
Perhaps it was written in the stars that Derry would win when their full-back scored three points from play! Rogers was detailed to mark Michael Murphy, but with the Donegal skipper dropping back, the Slaughtneil ace seized the opportunity to bomb forward. Kept his cool to land a vital score in the second period of extra-time and set up Glass for the insurance point. 9
Conor McCluskey
Conor McCluskey has been a real unsung hero of this Derry team this season and he delivered another fine performance on Sunday. Jamie Brennan hit 0-4 from play against Cavan last time out - McCluskey kept him scoreless. 8
Conor Doherty
Had spells tracking Ryan McHugh and defended well. Landed a good score to draw Derry level midway through the second half. 7
Gareth McKinless
After his brilliant displays against Tyrone and Monaghan, it was no surprise that Donegal paid more attention to Gareth McKinless. The Ballinderry clubman didn’t exert the same influence on proceedings, but showed real grit to work a score for Doherty in the second half. 6.5
Padraig McGrogan
Made an excellent tackle to strip Michael Langan of the ball midway through the second half and turned in another assured defensive display. 7.5
Conor Glass
Like McKinless, Conor Glass wasn’t afforded the same space as previous outings. However, Glass came to the fore late on when the game was in the melting pot. Missed the chance to seal the game in normal time, but made amends to land the insurance score at the end of extra-time. 7
Niall Toner
Spent much of the game alternating between full-forward at midfield and had Stephen McMenamin for company. Didn’t carry much of a scoring threat and was replaced late on, but reintroduced in extra-time. 6.5
Paul Cassidy
Kicked Derry’s first point of the game, but, like Glass, missed a late chance to edge his side ahead at the end of normal time. Passing and work-rate couldn’t be faulted. 7.5
Shea Downey
Scored his first point in the Ulster Championship and dropped back as an extra defender has he has done in Derry’s previous games. 7
Ethan Doherty
Yet again Derry’s goal was engineered by the superb Ethan Doherty. Was involved in a host of other scores and played some delightful kick passes in the second half, although his colleagues didn’t always convert. One of the players of the Championship so far. 8.5
Benny Heron
Couldn’t repeat of semi-final heroics as Caolan Ward kept a tight rein on Heron throughout. Didn’t stop trying to influence the game and was another who was brought back on during extra-time. 6.5
Shane McGuigan
Derry will feel that McGuigan ought to have been awarded more frees and he carried the fight to Donegal throughout. Scored four frees and one from play despite being marshalled by Brendan McCole. 7
Niall Loughlin
Showed great calmness to slot home his goal after an intense and cagey first 10 minutes. Added a further two points before being called ashore late on. 8
Subs:
Emmett Bradley
As was the case against Monaghan, Bradley was the first sub introduced and he landed his customary point from play. 7
Lachlan Murray
Replaced Benny Heron at the end of normal time and looked keen to make an impression. A rising star of the Derry team and will see more game time in the near future. 6.5
Ben McCarron
Brough fresh legs to the Derry side late on, but looked to have picked up a knock in extra-time and was replaced. 5
Paul McNeill
Came in for the hard-working Downey late on and looked confident in defence. 6
Donegal player ratings
Shaun Patton
Often lauded for his exploits, Patton was below his best on Sunday. Badly off target with one attempt from a free and his restarts were hit and miss. 6.5
Caolan Ward
Ward has been a model of consistency for Donegal in the Ulster Championship and Sunday was no exception. Held Benny Heron scoreless and supported the attack well. 7.5
Brendan McCole
Detailed to mark Shane McGuigan and edged their duel in the first half. McGuigan came into the game more after the break and McCole also conceded a few frees. 6.5
Stephen McMenamin
Put Niall Toner on the backfoot by surging forward numerous times in the first half. Lucky that Sean Hurson produced a yellow card and not a black for a cynical foul on McGuigan late on. 6.5
Ryan McHugh
Had a fine battle with Conor Doherty and was well-marked in the first half. Came into the game more after the break. Kicked one good point, but missed another he'd usually convert. 7
Eoghan Ban Gallagher
A classy operator, Gallagher sacrificed his attacking instincts to protect his full-back line. Donegal probably needed his pace more in the second half. 7
Odhran McFaddan Ferry
Finally got his chance to impress from the start and grabbed it with both hands. Took his goal well and was a constant threat going forward. 7.5
Caolan McGonagle
In at midfield for Hugh McFadden and looked lively early on. Had one shot at the posts blocked, while another dropped short, but had a hand in scores for Mogan and O’Donnell. 6.5
Jason McGee
Up against the in-form Conor Glass, McGee probably broke even in his battle with the Derry ace. Kicked two points from play, but Glass was more influential in extra-time. 7
Peadar Mogan
Almost single-handedly kept Donegal’s challenge alive when Derry were on top. Kicked three brilliant points from play and covered every blade of grass in St Tiernach’s Park. 8.5
Shane O’Donnell
Probably would have been disappointed with his display against Cavan, but put it behind him with a solid effort in the Ulster decider. Scored two points from play and linked up well with his colleagues. 7
Michael Langan
Kept scoreless for the second Championship game in succession. Langan is often guilty of taking the wrong option and kicked a bad wide at the end of the first half. His shot at goal on the restart led to Donegal’s major, but it was straight at Lynch who should have held on to possession. 5.5
Paddy McBrearty
Darren McCurry and Jack McCarron know what it is like to have Chrissy McKaigue following your every step. Paddy McBrearty, like other top-class forwards have done, struggled to get away from the Slaughtneil defender. Kicked two frees, but couldn’t get going from open play. 6
Michael Murphy
His score to move his side 1-11 to 1-10 ahead was pure class. Yet, it was a fleeting moment of brilliance on a day when Donegal needed a full 70 minute from their skipper. Brendan Rogers posed questions that Murphy just didn’t have the answer for. 6
Jamie Brennan
Unable to match his superb performance from the Cavan game. Conor McCluskey stuck to him like glue and the Bundoran native failed to raise a white flag all afternoon. 5.5
Subs
Conor O’Donnell
In for Brennan for the closing stage of normal time, but failed to make any impact. 5
Aaron Doherty
Took his mark well and converted to nudge Donegal ahead in the early stages of extra-time. 6.5
Hugh McFadden
Donegal badly missed his influence in the Ulster final. In for McGee in extra-time, but couldn’t turn the game in his side’s favour. 5.5
Ciaran Thompson
Dropped in a tactical switch by the Donegal management. Kicked a good point when introduced. 6
Paul Brennan
Not on long enough to be rated.
Read more: Derry vs Donegal score recap as Rory Gallagher's men are crowned Ulster champions
Read more: Derry vs Donegal: Rory Gallagher hails Oak Leaf heroes after historic Ulster title
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