TIR GIRLS TARGET A WIN AS A PRIORITY

THE target is clear – Donegal want to beat Armagh and retain the TG4 Ulster senior football title and the chance to become back-to-back winners for the first time will just be a nice side effect.

A win at Brewster Park on Sunday (3.45pm) would also be Donegal’s third provincial title in the last four attempt,

But according to fullback Nicole Mclaughlin, this is a squad focused on nailing their preparation and rediscovering the form that got them past Monaghan by 14 points in the semi-finals.

With just seven days separating those two games, Donegal have had to ease off on their physical preparation.

But Mclaughlin (above), 23, says the hard slog on the training field is behind them, with mental and tactical preparation key in recent days.

“It was a good win over Monaghan, but we all know it is just a semi-final and we’re just pushing on for the final now,” said Mclaughlin, whose sister Geraldine is a marquee forward for Donegal.

“We have so many girls away and it is quite hard for us playing two weeks in a row. But we got together quickly before we all dispersed on Monday. We had a quick look back at the game, but we quickly turned to Armagh.

“Not making the league final has brought us together every weekend and we’re able to work on tactics. That is what everyone is focused on.”

A win on Sunday will put Donegal into Group A of the All-ireland series against Tipp, along with the loser of the Kerry and Cork Munster final, while defeat will pit them against the Munster champions and Monaghan once again.