Armagh outclass Donegal Minute-by-minute action Pictures of Ulster final

Kernan also said that the performance proved that the Orchard County could play great football.

''People criticise the way we try and play the game,'' said Kernan after his side won 3-15 to 0-11 at Croke Park.

''I think we proved a point to all the people who say we don't play good football up in Ulster.''

Kernan was purring at the way his side ran the game from first to last whistle with a fast-flowing brand of football.

''We try and play the game to the best of our ability,'' he said. ''This is one of the days when everything seemed to go for us.

�These boys continue to amaze me with the hunger, appetite and enthusiasm that they play their football with, and those qualities were huge factors in our win.

''The reality is that it will not happen for us everyday. People are already saying that we are favourites for the Sam Maguire, but there is no such thing as favourites in this game.

''If people had any sense they would know we can't turn that on the next day.

''We were genuinely worried about Donegal. They have improved over the last two years, but I always believed that we could improve as well.

We won what we set out to win, but I think there is more Joe Kernan

''I think we proved that on Sunday. We won what we set out to win, but I think there is more,'' said Kernan, sending out a signal of intent to all and sundry.

Donegal boss Brian McEniff rued the time that Com McFadden's powerful shot rebounded off the crossbar shortly after half-time.

''If Colm's shot had gone in instead of cracking the bar it may have made it a much better game,'' he said.

''But Armagh were not only a better team, but also a hungrier and a sharper team and that's what took them through.

''The game ran away from us in the latter stages as we went for broke and we were caught at the back for two late goals.''