Allianz Football League: Harte hails Derry character in shootout win over Dubs in final
- Published
Derry players celebrate the shootout success over Dublin in Sunday's final
Derry manager Mickey Harte praised the attitude of his team after beating Dublin on penalties in a dramatic Division One final at Croke Park.
The game finished 3-18 to 2-21 after extra-time before the Ulster side won 3-1 in a penalty shootout.
"It was going to be a test of character and a test of the will to win," Harte told TG4.
"Somebody had to lose and we wanted to make sure it wasn't us. There's a great resolve in the team."
Derry were on course for victory before the All-Ireland champions hit the final four points to take the game into extra-time.
The Oak Leafers were again looking good for victory but Greg McEneaney's last-gasp goal saw it going to penalties.
Shane McGuigan, Conor Glass and Ethan Doherty were on target for Derry as they won it 3-1 and clinched the Division One title for the first time since 2008.
"It was not good for our hearts and we had to win it many times but the good thing is that we won it when it mattered most, at the end," added Harte.
"Each time there was break we said we had put so much into this, invested so time and energy into this - wouldn't it be an awful thing to lose.
"The fact they stood up to Dublin for 70 odd minutes, that gave them confidence that they're in the fight. They were never really outplayed or outmanoeuvred.
"Sometimes they were behind and clawed their way back. Through the ups and downs of being in a position to win the game but have it taken from you.
"Ultimately the penalties - that's nerve-wracking after the amount of energy they expended and to be able to take those penalties with the aplomb they did, thank God for that.