On his Championship debut, Ryan O'Toole was the hero for Monaghan at Healy Park against Tyrone on Sunday.
The Scotstown man ventured forward from defence with his side in desperate need of a point to level the game. Through on goal, O'Toole struck the ball low past Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan when a fisted point was the easy option. The goal put Monaghan two points ahead deep into injury time.
"I was wondering if there was anybody coming up behind me, if I was going to be tackled," O'Toole told the BBC's The GAA Social podcast about what was going through his mind in that moment.
"I turned around and saw that I was in. I just hit her as low as possible, don't make it easy for the keeper. She went in. I couldn't really believe it myself."
16 April 2023; Ryan O'Toole of Monaghan shoots to score his side's second goal during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Tyrone and Monaghan at O'Neill's Healy Park in Omagh, Tyrone. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
O'Toole being the hero for Monaghan is even more remarkable as he stepped away from the panel last year.
"I was in the panel for two years," said the 23-year-old.
"I walked away last year because emotionally, mentally, I wasn't able for it and I wasn't enjoying it.
"There were times last year where you were wondering if you'd ever get back, and if you were just going to be a club footballer for the rest of your life. I don't think it ever really settled with me.
"I always wanted to be the best that I can be, and compare myself to who I was yesterday and not somebody else. Going away for that year, and really deciding what's important to me - this is important to me. I'm really happy to be back, and that Vinny's given me the chance to be back.
"Around December there, I really got the itch to go back. Watching them last year, no one wants to be watching from the stands - you want to be out there.
"I just said that I'm going to enjoy it no matter what happens, just be happy to be a part of it. I can't believe that it's gone this far."
16 April 2023; Michael McKernan of Tyrone is tackled by Jack McCarron, left, and Ryan O'Toole of Monaghan during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Quarter-Final match between Tyrone and Monaghan at O'Neill's Healy Park in Omagh, Tyrone. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
O'Toole said the aspect of his game which has improved most is his mindset
"I would have responded badly to setbacks in the past," he said.
"A boy getting a score off me, or me having a bad game would roll on and roll on and snowball.
"This year, I've really been able to enjoy football more, and take it for what it is, it's a game at the end of the day. You want to have fun doing it, and that was fun out there today."
Just as O'Toole made his championship bow on Sunday, Vinny Corey also made his championship debut as manager.
"He just gets it, understands what it is to be an inter-county footballer - to be on the fringes [of the panel[, to be in the thick of it," said O'Toole.
"I really bounced off him, and I'm buzzing to have him in. I think all the boys are, to have somebody like that in the dressing room, to be that voice for you."
Monaghan face reigning champions Derry, victors over Fermanagh on Saturday, in the Ulster semi-finals on April 29th.
"We wouldn't be playing if we didn't think we could win it," said O'Toole.
"We're going to go out and give it our best shot."
See Also: Monaghan's Secret Motivation To Beat Tyrone? Less Conditioning Work, Says O'Hanlon
