'We weren't leaving Omagh beaten' says Glenullin manager Michael O'Kane after Ulster win

O'Kane was part of the Mitchel's team defeated by Antrim's St. Gall's in the 2007 Ulster Senior semi-final at the Omagh venue while two years ago Paddy Bradley's men lost out in the last four of the Intermediate Championship, again in Healy Park, following a late Ballyhaise goal.

Both defeats were used as fuel by O'Kane who said he was determined to ensure history would not repeat itself in what is the club's 100th birthday year.

"It was just pure heart. That's all that was, there is no other way around it," explained the delighted Glenullin manager.

"Football is played a lot different now in a lot of ways from how it used to be played but one thing you cannot beat is hunger, and hurt. You could see a team that was hurting there. We just brought everything we had, all that hurt from the past, you saw that out there today.

"That was just a massive display of hunger, hurt and pain. Anything worth having in life is worth suffering for and we have had to suffer this last couple of years but we got our comeuppance today."

Even trailing by three deep in injury time, the Glenullin manager said he was always confident his players had the character to turn things around which they managed after Neil McNicholl's last gasp goal ensured extra-time.

"I genuinely always thought we had a chance. We have been in this situation before," added O'Kane, "We were in that situation in the county final two years ago and scored a goal with the last kick of the game so we have been there, done it and the boys have been through it before.

"The last two times we have been to Omagh; in 2007 I was part of that group and we didn't do ourselves justice, and in 2023 we left one behind so we weren't coming out of Omagh today beaten. There was no way that was happening. That's seems easy to say after the fact but I knew; I knew from we won two weeks ago that we weren't coming out of here beaten. I know no one else in the ground probably believes me but I knew we weren't getting beaten."

O'Kane hailed the impact of substitutes Eoin Bradley, Fearghal Close and Willie John Bradley and said the club was now looking forward to a special two weeks in the build up to the final against Cavan's Cuchulainns.

"I keep telling people and it is not a joke, but we had discussions about our panel - right up to number 28 - about who to bring in there in extra-time," he adds.

"Every one of the players who are on that panel can contribute but I'm just delighted that boys are able to come on and contribute and know that they are at that level.

"It's unbelievable. We are in our 100th year and the club has put a massive backing into our senior team. No matter what we need, and even stuff we don't need, they are coming asking do we want to do this, do that. Our club is just so, so passionate.

"It's the first time we have got to a senior Ulster final and our boys will be buzzing for it. It'll be about trying to keep them off the pitch for the next two weeks. We are delighted."