DONEGAL’S Bláthnáid McLaughlin regards this weekend’s Ulster final as an opportunity to take the positives from what was a frustrating season for the county.

The Tir Chonaill ladies lost their All-Ireland Ladies Football Senior quarter-final to Dublin at the start of August. McLaughlin pointed out that Armagh will be feeling the same way after they were beaten by Meath at the same stage.

“Both teams are in the same situation. We have had to pick ourselves up after our quarter-final defeats.

“We regrouped last week and got back at it. We have said that we are fortunate that we have an opportunity to finish the season on a high. It doesn’t normally happen like that so we are lucky.

“Any time you go out to play in an Ulster final is a great time no matter what has happened.”

How the two teams have dealt with their quarter-final defeats will play a part. The team that can put the result behind them will be better prepared. McLaughlin says that Donegal have been going well.

“We were all disappointed after the game. When you go out for the season everyone has the goal to win the All-Ireland. When that doesn’t happen it is hard. But that is sport, you just have to pick yourself up and get back at it. It was good to get back with the girls and get that session done. Everyone is feeling the same but after the session everyone was feeling better.”

Last year was the first year in a while that Donegal have not played Armagh. The two teams know each other very well. McLaughlin said that she thinks that Armagh have a younger squad coming through, which proved their talent in getting to an All-Ireland quarter-final.

However, McLaughlin’s understanding of the Armagh team is a lot different.

“I have more experience playing with the Armagh girls than against them. I went to Ulster University, I know a lot of girls that way. I played college football with Amy and Blaithín (Mackin), and Tiarna Grimes and Megan Sheridan.”

McLaughlin was on the panel in 2018 when Donegal beat Armagh in the Ulster final but apart from that she has not played against the Orchard county. She was not on the panel in 2019 as she stepped away from the team.

Results may not have went the way Donegal wanted them too, yet McLaughlin believes that her county is in good shape.

“There are a lot of newer girls, younger girls have come in and challenged for their places. That is great, then there are still the older wiser heads still there which is important. There is talent still coming through, the u-16s won an Ulster title.”