'They showed character which is what we instill into them all the time' - McDermott

Donegal minor manager Declan McDermott praised his side’s character as they came from behind late in the game to see off Armagh in Burt on a 3-12 to 2-10 scoreline. 

With the game looking like it could fall anyone’s way in the final minutes, it was full-forward Ava Walsh who secured victory for the home side when she slotted home Donegal’s third goal to give her side a comfortable lead which allowed them to ease out the game in style.  

And while the minors looked composed and confident on the ball, despite a stiff breeze throughout, for McDermott and his backroom team, they were just happy to see the end of a nervous game that saw Donegal storm to a deserved five-point victory. 

“I would say we’re definitely relieved to get over the line,” McDermott acknowledged. “I think we played really well in the first half, but we didn’t convert our chances.  

“Then in the second half Armagh came back at us strong, but we knew that was going to happen. We had watched Armagh before and we knew they were going to be tough, so, we were happy we held on to the end and got the win.” 

And while the breeze contributed heavily to the overall style of the game, forcing teams to play the ball more through the hands, McDermott admitted that suited his side better with his team preferring to play a running game as opposed to a kicking one. 

“The elements played a massive role in the game today, we like to play a running style, but when you’re running into that breeze, it can be very difficult,” the minor boss said. “Some of the players had to dig really deep and that showed today. They have great character and that’s what we try to instill into these players all the time. 

“I think this was the first game where we were probably nervous throughout, it was a nervous start and a very nervous second half, we couldn’t wait on the sideline for it to be over, but from the girl’s point of view, they can be very happy with the character they showed and how they managed the game and to be able to dig deep and get the win was unreal. 

“I think like most Donegal teams, we seem to always play better against the breeze which suits our football. We couldn’t do it there today but anyone who watches us knows we’re not really a kicking team, we like to run it through the hands, and I think that’s what carried us in the second half, having that ability to hold possession and get the shooters on the ball.” 

Donegal will now play Antrim in their last league game and a win there guarantees their place in an Ulster A final. But McDermott, while confident, knows to take nothing for granted. 

“We’re in a great situation now because if we beat Antrim we are guaranteed an Ulster A final which would be massive for us. That was our target at the start of the year. We were put back a little bit after the Cavan game, but we recovered well, and we won’t be taking Antrim for granted but we’ll be confident we can get the job done.”