By John Fallon

DONEGAL’S win over Armagh was the “sweetest trophy” of them all insists manager Maxi Curran.

Despite going in as underdogs on the back of a disappointing season, it was Donegal’s day at Owenbeg against Armagh.

Donegal finished strongly to deny Orchard County a fourth title in a row with a goal from Ciara McGarvey sealing a 1-10 to 0-9 win to lift the crown for the first time since 2019.

Armagh’s hopes of a fourth Ulster title in a row came unstuck as Donegal, who led by 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval, came with a strong finish to claim the title.

“It’s definitely the most satisfying and indeed sweetest trophy we’ve picked up,” said Donegal manager Maxi Curran. “We were completely wrote off coming into this. Armagh were 7/1 favourites. They hadn’t lost a game all year.

“We never really doubted the fact that we could win the game. We were greatly enhanced before today by the return of Niamh Hegarty and Tanya Kennedy. They ooze class and quality. And with the young girls, they added that little bit of experience and steel.

“The league, the losses and the relegation; it was demoralising for sure. But for the girls and the group to keep coming back and going at it, they got their reward here today. I’m just so happy that we got over the line for that reason alone.”