OPINION: Mayo endure day of learning and hard truths in Donegal

Our columnist, Billy-Joe Padden offers his thoughts on the National League tie in O'Donnell Park

Mayo and Donegal clashed in Round Three of the National Football League Division One in O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny. Pic: Sportsfile

Days like Sunday are the moments where you learn the most about yourself as a team, and the same could be said for Mayo on Sunday.

The wind was swirling in O’Donnell Park, the ball was slippery, and the driving rain on occasion made it a rough day for football.

When you add to that the terrier-like Donegal defence snapping at your heels, a few snatched shots and mis-kicked long balls, the 70 minutes can contain plenty of learnings.

This was one of those days.

Listening to Andy afterwards, I thought he struck exactly the right tone. There was no grandstanding, no hiding. Plain and simple, he highlighted the issues. And in many ways, that’s positive. Because when a manager is clear about what went wrong, it tells you he knows what right is supposed to look like.

LET’S look at Sunday’s game in two halves.

The first is the overall picture. We always knew it was going to be difficult going to Donegal in these circumstances. Bad weather. Tough conditions. A team that, despite both sides having two wins on the board, look further down the road in their development.

There’s something about a side that has lost an All-Ireland final. History tells us that often, the following spring, that pain sharpens rather than softens. The focus is fierce. The standards are internal. And Donegal have that look about them now.

Even the personnel tells its own story. Michael Murphy is only being introduced. Meanwhile, younger leaders like Conor O'Donnell are taking........

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