Given that he was always forthright in victory, it was never likely that Eamonn Coleman would go out meekly. Derry's PRO Gerry Donnelly remarks: "There's nothing as bad as a losing dressing-room." Coleman shuffles towards the exit - as it happens for the last time.
"The best team won on the day. They wanted it more than we did and when it comes down to it, that's what it's all about. They were more hungry. The goal brought us back into the game and we were completely on top at that stage. The most disappointing thing is that we didn't score after getting the goal.
"I'm finished. That's my last fling. I haven't told the Derry county board yet but I've told Patsy Mulholland (county secretary). Nothing will change my mind. I gave it my best shot. I'm not bitter at being beaten. I'm bitter at how you get treated in GAA circles by people who never played football but sit up and lay down the law. Never played the game and know nothing about it as far as I'm concerned."
It is demurred that GAA president Sean McCague managed Monaghan to Ulster titles. "Yes, and I hope Sean looks at some of the videos Monaghan took part in when he's handing out the suspensions," comes the reply.
Coleman had spent the Ulster final in the Gerry Arthurs stand at Clones, suspended for comments made about referee John Bannon before the semi-final with Antrim. Did he feel his absence from the line contributed to the defeat?
"I don't know. Them smart men in Croke Park that never played football makes the rules. You can write that. They can't suspend me anymore."
So after two stints - interleaved by a shameful shafting - managing his county to two National Leagues, one Ulster and one All-Ireland, one of the most colourful figures on the inter-county scene departs, apparently with no intention of returning.
"No way. I started with Derry and finished with Derry. I've enjoyed it."
It's safe to say Brian Canavan, Armagh joint-manager with Brian McAlinden, enjoyed yesterday rather more.
"It was one hell of a game of football. It was unfortunate there had to be a loser and Derry could have equalised it there at the end, but I think over the 70 minutes we were the better side. We looked to put the slicker moves together up front, particularly with a couple of goaling chances.
"But a lot of people thought this team couldn't win back-to-back Ulster titles but there was a refreshing spirit about Armagh today. They put the Diarmuid Marsden injury behind them and it was an all-round superb team performance."
His team opened with a bewildering array of switches in the forward line which had Derry's defence shuttling all over the place. "I'm not going to go into tactics but we have our own way of working and you have to juggle things about at times to suit the occasion.
"We didn't panic once they got the goal and that's what I liked about it. I think last year stood us in great stead. We slowed the game down for a couple of minutes and we knew the chances would come. We preached to the boys that the chances will come if you're within a point at the end."
