Peter Harte hails Errigal Ciaran's now or never menatality ahead of Dr Crokes All-Ireland semi

Veteran Harte kicked a cracking score as the Ballygawley outfit edged out favourites Kilcoo in a dramatic conclusion.

It was Errigal's third Ulster title but their first to win from the preliminary round with four steps required to reach heaven.

They didn't even play particularly well along the journey but Harte said it has been drilled into players by manager Enda McGinley that they simply must not lose.

Harte himself realised that at 34 it was probably going to be his last chance to hit the provincial jackpot.

"It's one of those things you always hoped to win but as time slips on, like a lot of things in life, you're not sure if you'll get the chance," said the two-time All-Star.

"We all knew this year after coming through Tyrone that we had to make it count because getting through Tyrone again next year doesn't look likely, from looking at the past record. It's very rare that anyone does back-to-back in Tyrone.

"So we had to make the most of this year and Enda McGinley really drove that message home, that this might be our only chance to win an Ulster title. That was our mindset with every game - we just had to get it done. And we found ways to do that.

"We didn't play overly well in a lot of games but we were gutsy and that togetherness got us over the line."

Harte has done it all in the game as an inter-county player with Tyrone, famously winning the All-Ireland in 2021.

He won four Ulster titles with the Red Hands too and played for Ireland in the International Rules series.

But winning an Ulster club title was a big ambition throughout his career that he finally ticked on Sunday.

"Some of my first football memories are of going to Ulster club games," he said.

"I remember the '97 final against Dungiven, being up in Clones on a wet day. We were in the 2000 final as well and then, of course, 2002 when they won it. I just dreamed and hoped that one day I'd get a chance myself to represent Errigal on the same sort of stage.

"But you don't get too many goes at it. To finally do it this year, to get four games and four days out and to win it then at the end of it, honestly, I find it hard to put into words what it means."

The good news for Harte and Errigal ahead of the clash with new Munster champions Dr Crokes is that there is more in the tank.

For starters, they've only scored one goal since the county semi-final, Sunday's early palmed effort by Joe Oguz.

"We have plenty still to improve on heading down the track now for the semi-final," said Harte.

"It's so special to look forward to. And Look, it's Crokes - I'm sure they're going to be thinking the same, in terms of wanting to improve.

"We have the luxury of a few days off now and we'll have that chance to unwind and to get the bodies right. It'll be a special Christmas preparing and getting ready for an All-Ireland semi-final."