Curran: We just don’t have that vast array of experience at this level just yet

Maxi Curran lamented a lack of experience in his Donegal team, who ended up on the wrong side of a 1-15 to 2-4 loss against Armagh in the Ulster LGFA Championship.

Barring an unlikely Cavan win over Armagh, it seems Donegal will have a second chance against Armagh in the provincial decider although that looks like quite the task with the likes of Aimee Mackin and Kelly Mallon, who kicked 1-12 between them in Lifford.

Donegal got to the All-Ireland SFC semi-final last year, running eventual winners Meath close in a 0-12 to 1-7 loss. However, this season Curran is without the experience in the forward line of the likes of Geraldine McLaughlin, Yvonne Bonner and Niamh Hegarty in particular, with Karen Guthrie staying on.

“There’s about 15 missing from last year’s panel altogether and that brings with it challenges,” Curran said. “There’s no doubt there’s a massive void there. That’s just the nature of the game. You go through cycles. That’s the nature of the game.

“Some of those girls have 15 or 16 years of county football and everyone has their own decision to make, what’s right for them. It's just unfortunate for us. We would’ve had what we considered four of the best forwards in the country last year and now we’re left with one of them. That makes it easier for opposition. Last year we scored 2-19 against Armagh and it was 2-4 today. We just don’t have that vast array of experience at this level just yet.

“We’ve the likes of Katie Dowds there who is only 16 and she did brilliantly for one of the goals in the first half and Abigail Temple Asoku in there at full-back, as well as Clare Friel our keeper, who I thought was brilliant. Her kick-outs were brilliant for a girl in her debut season.”

Mackin masterclass for Armagh leaves Donegal in the shade

Aimee Mackin's nine points helped Armagh to a comfortable victory over Donegal in the Ulster LGFA Senior Championship, with Maxi Curran's wind-assisted team having started well with two early goals

Mackin’s class was evident against the wind but the Croke Park/LGFA Park LGFA Player of the Month for April was unplayable in the second half as Armagh chase a four-in-a-row in Ulster.

“The story of the game was an exhibition of kicking from Aimee Mackin and we weren’t able to produce anything even like that in the second half.,” Curran added.

“The game opened up and Armagh made proper use of the elements. We were guilty of unnecessary turnovers a lot. The interesting thing was when you look at Aimee’s shot map, very few were from inside what you would call the scoring zone - even the free-kick in the first half against the wind with the outside of the boot and in off the post was a great kick. She’s just a quality player and that’s the sort of player there is at this level. The better team certainly won on the day. When the game opened up then they put us to the sword.”