But little did he know that he was to be cast in the role of ultimate hero when he was dramatically plunged into the St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon side at full-forward when Sean McKillion was forced to withdraw.

And, if Thornton chartered a mundane course in the first half when his team found themselves swimming against the tide, he stamped an indelible imprint on the contest throughout the second grabbing seven points from play that helped to usher his side to a superb victory in the most unlikely circumstances.

St Michael's, efficiently drilled by former Fermanagh and Sligo manager Dominic Corrigan, looked to have at least one hand on the trophy when they led 1-5 to 0-3 at the break, and in truth, they merited a much more handsome coverage given the level of pace, fluency and enterprise they displayed up until then.

A Brian Cox goal in the seventh minute and Daryl Keenan's accuracy from frees allied to the wizardry of Tomas Corrigan created chaos within the Dungannon rearguard.

The Tyrone side could muster only three points in spasmodic raids, their defensive frailties and lack of punch up front undermining their cause considerably.

But joint coaches Ciaran Gourlay and Peter Herron articulated their forthright thoughts with considerable conviction in the changing room for when the Academy side returned to the arena from the sanctuary of their dressing room they had undergone a total transformation.

Uncertainty, indecision and sluggishness were replaced by a poise, confidence and power as the St Michael's lead was gradually whittled down.

It was after landing his first point from a free in the 36th minute that Thornton revelled in his role as chief executioner, although he would be the first to admit that the ball winning capacity of Gavin Teague, Niall McKenna, David Lavery and Tiarnan O'Hagan proved crucial to the Academy renaissance.

When further points flowed from Thornton's accurate boot in the 40th and 44th minute, the Academy side had been infused with a new dynamic.

And although Chris O'Brien pilfered two further points for St Michael's, the force was undeniably with the O'Neill county side. A majestic McKenna point in the 50th minute was followed by three more from further frees by the unstoppable Thornton and suddenly with two minutes to go the sides were deadlock at 0-12 to 1-9.

As visions of extra time and even a replay were forming, the final chapter in the Academy fairytale success was written in injury time when impressive substitute Conal McGarrity somehow squeezed over what proved to be the winning point after the St Michael's defence had withstood a mini blitz.

For the Academy, it was a first MacRory Cup triumph since 2004 and for Thornton it was a sporting dream come true - an epic personal triumph that will live long in his memory irrespective of what he may insert on to this CV in the years to come.

If the Academy's success marks yet another singular achievement by a side wearing the familiar red and white of Tyrone, then defeat was a particularly bitter pill for St Michael's given their pronounced first half supremacy and the cluster of outstanding individual displays that ultimately marked what merely proved to be a flirtation with glory.

They can take consolation from the fact that the bulk of their players are available to soldier in the MacRory Cup trenches next year, but for the moment coach Corrigan and his players can only rue the disappointing manner in which the trophy slipped from their grasp.

St Patrick's Academy will now represent Ulster in the All Ireland Colleges Hogan Cup semi-finals - when they finslly come back down to earth, that is.

St Patrick's Academy scorers: D Thornton (0-7, 0-6 frees), N McKenna, S Murphy, P Doherty, M McLernon, C McGarrity, T OHagan (0-1 each).

St Michael's College scorers: D Keenan (0-4, 0-3 frees), B Cox (1-0), C O'Brien (0-2), R Jones, T Corrigan, J O'Brien (0-1 each).

St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon: N Morgan; B Kelly, L O'Neill, J Loughran, R Pickering, G Teague, D Toner; N McKenna, D Lavery; S Murphy, T O'Hagan, P Doherty; M McLeron, D Thornton, C Gervin. Substitutes: C McGarrity for McLernon (35mins), J Grimley for McKenna (63mins).

St Michael's College, Enniskillen: M Jackson; M Quigley, M Donnelly, C Smyth; R Leonard, P J Rogers, N McElroy; R Jones, R O'Callaghan; M McAleer, D Keenan, B Cox; T Corrigan, C O'Brien, J O'Brien. Substitutes: G Leonard for McAleer (45mins), M Maguire for J O'Brien (53mins), P Leonard for N McElroy (57mins).

Referee: Jimmy McKee (Armagh).