Player of the Match Sarah Lambe beamed with delight after helping Donegal to a win against Mayo on Saturday.
Lambe was outstanding at corner-forward and Donegal were good value for their triumph.
“We know that Mayo are a very tough team,” said the St Eunan’s player.
“The last time we played we didn’t put a great performance in but we were happy to get it today in the championship.
“We have trained hard and it’s been going brilliant.
“It was a great team performance. Fair play to the younger girls like Kara O’Neill who is sitting her Leaving Cert now next week. She has been training from the very start and hasn’t missed a session.”
Mayo got off to a fast start with two goals but Donegal tightened up at the back and played their way into the match.
“We kept the heads.
“It was good going to come back from those two goals.
“It’s another thing for training now to work on to make sure we keep the goals out.”
Mayo came back late on and cut their deficit to one point.
However, Donegal held their nerve. Lambe (20) had two pressure frees but remained composed. She modestly played down her involvement.
“I didn’t know the time when I was taking the frees.
“I just had to keep the head and put them over.
“Some days they go over and some days they don’t so today we are lucky that they did go over.”
Donegal will now have a two-week break before they play Louth.
The wee county lost by 1-8 to 0-3 against Monaghan on Saturday.
It will be a step up from Mayo but Donegal will look to win.
“Louth is a big task. They beat Mayo as well.
“We will get back to training and go again.”