'A tough one to take' - Mayo LGFA manager reacts to Tyrone defeat

Mayo manager Liam McHale, like the rest of the home crowd within Swinford Amenity Park, would have had his heart in his mouth as Millie Doherty was bearing down on the Tyrone goalmouth with seconds to go.

The Kilmoremoy woman wanted to win the game for Mayo and shot for goal when a point would have earned her side a share of the spoils.

However, as her manager told The Mayo News afterwards, it's all a learning process.

PICTURES: Supporters cheer on Mayo LGFA team against Tyrone

“It’s a tough one to take,” he stated. “I’ve seen these games before, and coming to the end I would’ve wanted Kayla to take the point. Not to have a go at her because she’s probably annoyed enough herself, but we’ll be looking to take that forward into the next day.”

For McHale and his management, the picture surrounding relegation is bleak. His side are the only team without a point to their name in the division.

In his view, while the commitment and hunger are there for all to see, it’s a lack of inter-county experience that's letting his charges down.

READ: Tyrone edge Mayo at the death as winless run continues

“We’ll keep on fighting,” he stated. “You can’t question the girls’ lack of effort out there. It’s just that small bit of experience, in that we’ve just fallen away against Dublin and now against Tyrone here.

“It takes a while for youngsters to get that experience and street smarts.”

The manner in which Mayo surrendered their lead at the death brought a raw type of pain for management, players and supporters alike. However, even moments after the defeat, McHale’s post-mortem was a reasoned one.

“We panicked, even though we did well when we were down to 13 players in terms of managing things out on the pitch, but some basic errors let us down,” he said before turning his attention to the future.

“We’ll try and get a bit of practice in now with the two-week break before the Armagh game. We’ll have plenty of time with them on the pitch. There’s no question - we have to go up there now and get a result.”

VIDEO: "It's quite emotional" - Mayo basketball star Hazel Finn on playing for Ireland