Patience and persistence is finally paying off for Donegal star Suzanne White

Suzanne White admits that Donegal’s NFL woes hurt but the Killybegs native insists that no one inside Maxi Curran’s squad dwelt on that relegation disappointment.

White - a Psychology student at Queen’s University, Belfast - agrees that Donegal’s spate of well documented departures in the close season suggested that things probably wouldn’t run as smoothly as they had last term.

Off the back of 2022 Donegal could probably count themselves as the second best team in the land having fallen to Queenpins and double champions Meath in both the league decider and the All-Ireland semi-final.

White was on the edge of matters that day, only coming into the fray late on in the second-half as the Royals eventually won through to the final.

But with the likes of star attackers Yvonne Bonner and Geraldine McLaughlin deciding to take a step back this term, White has seen her own status elevated to that of chief score-getter.

At 21-years-of-age, she has progressed right up through the underage ranks with her county. But she explains that progression wasn’t a smooth ride.

“I was involved with county right up from U-14,” she says. “But I wasn’t always a starter there. There were plenty of times I was on the fringes of things. But I started to find real improvements around minor level.

“As I got older, there was more opportunity. This is my fourth season with the seniors now. I was 19 at the time and I remember Maxi asking me to just come in on a sort of trial basis to see how it would go.

“Looking around that dressing room at the time, I mean you’re looking at girls like Yvonne, Geraldine, Niamh Hegarty, Niamh McLaughlin, Karen Guthrie… like, they are some of the best players to ever wear the Donegal jersey.

“You just tried to feed into the way they went about their business. On and off the field they all presented themselves in a really impressive way. Just being on the fringes of that, I learned so much”.

Suzanne is a daughter of former Killybegs player Jimmy White, who of course went on to become the county’s best and most recognisable referee.

The youngest of four girls in what she describes as “a football mad house”, White was probably always destined to have some involvement in GAA. But there is no doubt her dad’s love for the game and, indeed influence, has rubbed off on her.

“Growing up yeah, there was that element to it - “that’s Jimmy’s daughter”! “But anywhere my dad went I was tagging along with him. He could have been refereeing five or six evenings in the week and I’d be sitting on with him all the time.

“I loved it. You were all over the county meeting people and watching football. It definitely left an impression. Dad, he’s always been really supportive. When he says I’ve done well or played well it kinda does count for more.

“Growing up the youngest in the house, I would have gone to watch the other girls playing. You were in awe of it all. And then when I got involved, if mum or dad were working, they’d be the ones bringing me to training or games.

“So it’s fair to say it’s a big football house. I’m very grateful for all of that”.

With the LGFA’s influence continuing to grow in Donegal, the south west of the county is making positive strides. And White expects to see the region make an even greater mark on the senior county scene in the coming years.

“I’m the only girl from Glen (Naomh Columba) to Ballyshannon with the senior team right now. There are probably seven or eight clubs in between that. Amy Boyle Carr is there from Glenties but we travel two different directions so I travel on my own.

“But there definitely are some brilliant up and coming players. You look at the minor squad and the representation there. So it’s exciting times and you will see those girls begin to filter up to senior grade.

“Eva Gallagher from Kilcar, I’ve no doubt she’ll be stepping up real soon so hopefully I’ll have someone to share the runs with, over the road, when I’m home in Killybegs”.

On the hurt and disappointment suffered from that Division 1 relegation, White said there really was no other option but to kick back immediately against the negativity. Donegal did just that with an opening Ulster SFC win over Cavan, a result that cemented their Ulster final spot.

They would subsequently lose 1-15 to 2-4 to Armagh last time out in Lifford and it’s the Orchard girls that once again stand in their way in Sunday’s provincial final at Owenbeg (throw-in, 3.30pm).

Regardless of how the weekend’s renewal of acquaintances with Armagh goes, White feels Donegal have turned a corner.

“Listen, that was a really difficult time - the league relegation I mean,” she said. “I’m not going to lie… It’s not nice losing games. But the effort and sacrifices going in, they aren't any less than they were the three previous seasons.

“And when you know that - that the effort is going in and no stone is being left unturned, there is no way you’re going to fold or throw in the towel.

“It’s a mindset thing. When you’re winning it’s great. That’s the easiest time in some ways. You’re looking forward to the next game, you’re wondering if there is another level to get to. You’re getting into the car in Belfast and it’s all good going back down the road.

“But when things are against you, when your back is up against the wall like it was in the league this year, that’s when you really have to dig deep, summon stuff that might have come much handier to you in the past.

“But you just have to look around you, your teammates, Maxi and the management team, they are the ones that together, are going to get you through this.

She added: “Everyone has to start somewhere. And it’s a steep learning curve right now. But representing Donegal is an honour. This hasn’t been a perfect season but it’s about sticking together.

“The likes of Karen Guthrie and Katy Herron will tell you there was a lot of water already under the bridge for them prior to 2015 when they finally got their Ulster medals. So I’ve no doubt there are better days coming down the line. It’s transitional but I also think it’s exciting.

“There is serious potential in all those young girls. And whether you win or lose, any day you get to step onto a football pitch with a Donegal senior jersey on your back, that’s a proud day.”