THE Donegal minor ladies will be looking for another win today against Armagh at MacCumhaill Park (throw-in, 2pm) to keep their hopes of reaching the Ulster Tier One final alive.
Donegal lost out to Cavan last month which put a dent in their hopes but they then beat Tyrone in their most recent game, which was important in their hunt to finish in the top two and reach the platinum final.
It puts Declan McDermott’s side one win behind the Red Hands who are second with one game less played, and Tyrone to face unbeaten Cavan in their final game.
“It was a huge win for a couple of reasons,” minor ladies coach Barney Curran said.
“We played the Cavan game and probably gave them 1-8 with foolish turnovers. They are no bad team and you can’t make mistakes against them because they’re very strong at this age the last few years.
“Beating Tyrone after that defeat was absolutely great and the manner which we done it. We played really well and Tyrone had a purple patch but we stuck into them and got into the groove of it.
“At the very least we can make the B final but we’re pushing hard for the Platinum final.”
Donegal face Armagh, who narrowly lost to Cavan before an eight point defeat to Tyrone.
They responded with a huge win over Antrim and will be hoping to keep that form going when coming to Donegal this weekend to keep their hopes alive of reaching the Tier One final.
“It’s a massive game for both teams, if they beat us then they’re back in the hunt.
“Armagh played Cavan first game and they only lost by a point so they’re not a bad team. They’re always very strong underage the whole way up to senior and you see them now playing in a (Division 1) League final at senior level.
“They have a couple of good serious players and very strong runners, they’re very well set up defensively.
“We might have a bit more firepower up front but the way football is, you put 13 behind the ball and it isn’t easy to break down and that’s what all teams are doing.”
The campaign for Donegal has been fairly interrupted so far which Curran admits hasn’t been ideal.
This game was previously called off due to schools finals which means Donegal have had a two week break, followed by a three week break and now another two week break between their games.
They had a similar problem last year after winning the Ulster Tier Two title when they weren’t back in action for almost three months in the All-Ireland ‘C’ Championship semi-finals, although there’s no doubting they would be happy to have that problem once again should it mean they won the Ulster title.
“It was meant to be played three weeks ago in Ballybofey but they had schools in the All-Ireland series and we had the Glenties school that won the ‘C’ competition so the two county boards agreed that it was only the fairest option for the girls.
“It has been a bit of a stop-start and that is an issue with this age group for different reasons. You have club and school football, Leaving Cert and mocks.
“If we’re lucky enough to get to an Ulster final, it wouldn’t be until the end of April and then there wouldn’t be an All-Ireland semi-final until I think the second week in July instead of giving it another three weeks to play your semi-final and final and getting that championship done and dusted.
“I understand there is the Leaving Cert and stuff but they could have it finished up by the middle of May. It runs on and some of these girls are involved in the senior team and all are involved with their clubs.
“Then between exams and working they’re being pulled pillar to post, there’s a lot of stop-start at this age group.”
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