Mayo manager McHale reflects on ‘killer’ goals in Kerry defeat

If the Mayo Ladies' upcoming League games against Waterford and Kildare weren’t must-wins before, there’s no question about their importance in the wake of Sunday’s defeat.

Liam McHale and his Mayo side will have an arduous task on their hands and will need a perfect record if they are to propel themselves above the watermark.

WATCH: Ella Brennan on Mayo Ladies’ defeat to Kerry

In the opinion of the man in the dugout, when the margins are this tight in high-level sport, errors like the one that led to Síofra O’Shea’s second-half goal simply can’t happen.

“Last week we got sucker-punched with a flukey goal when a player was going for a point and that was the case again today with two bad goals,” McHale told The Mayo News.

“They’re a killer when you’re struggling in the division and trying to get a win.”

The Sinéad Walsh-shaped hole in the Mayo forward line was clear to see for everyone, including the manager.

Her absence due to a head injury meant it was always going to be difficult to hold a candle to the Kingdom.

Those sentiments were echoed by McHale.

“Sinéad is playing phenomenal. She’s a super player. She’s shown her class now, and she has to be regarded as one of the best footballers in the country,” he stated.

“When you’re at home, and you’re playing the reigning All-Ireland champions, you need that calibre of player.”

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McHale and his side aren’t blind to the peril surrounding their top-flight status for next season. That being said, giving up isn’t even an option within their ranks.

“I don’t know if it’s possible for us to stay up, but we’ll keep going until the end regardless of what position we find ourselves in.”

For this youthful side, up against the cream of the crop week-in, week-out is a learning curve so steep it’s almost vertical. In their bainisteoir’s mind, this is giving the side priceless opportunities to learn from the best.

“When you’re as young as we are, you have to be learning fast,” he said. “Kayla (Doherty) and Bree (Hession) are totally different players now to what they were a few weeks ago.

“The future is bright for this Mayo team. If they stick together, they’ll be a good team, there’s no question about that.”