ARDAL MCDERMOTT FELT THAT today’s Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final was just ‘a step too far’ for his patched up Donegal.
Mayo left O’Donnell Park with a 1-18 to 2-11 win that puts them into the final for the first time.
Donegal rallied well in the second half and came to within two points when Danny Cullen scored a brilliant goal, but Mayo closed out with the final two points of the game.
“We’re close, but we’re just not there yet,” McDermott told Donegal Sport Hub.
[adrotate group=”43″]“No doubt Mayo had the work done and were the better team on the day. The sad thing is that we were in the game and we let the thing go to ten points. That wasn’t a true reflection.
“When we’re close, we should believe in ourselves and go on to win the game. We seem then to give the other side an advantage and be the nearly men.”
Ciaran Matthewson’s early goal had kept Donegal in check, but when Joseph McManus goaled six minutes into the second half, Mayo were ten points to the good.
Donegal, who have had a raft of injuries this season, hit back, but couldn’t rise the necessary scores late on.
The manager said: “We’ve had a very unfortunate season and we only got the full panel back six weeks ago. It was just a step too far for us against a very good Mayo team.
“It’ll take a serious effort to get over that four points.
“We’re getting closer, but it’s the same four points as three months ago.
“I can’t fault them for effort, but it’s just been a difficult season.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/ardal-mcdermott-after-donegal-lose-to-mayo-in-nicky-rackard-semi
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