Relegated Derry manager Paddy Tally accepts that his side were punished by an in-form Mayo for any number of mistakes on Sunday afternoon.
Derry fell to a five-point defeat at Celtic Park, the Oak Leafers’ fifth loss of a disappointing 2025 League campaign for the reigning champions.
“I thought we actually played not too bad in the first-half,” explained Tally.
“But the goal just before half-time was a complete sickener. It was an awful mistake to lose that goal and we should have went into half-time level, which would have been okay.
“But the second-half, we went out and we seemed to dominate the play but we missed an awful lot of chances. We seemed to be panicking on shots and taking things on that maybe weren’t there.
“We needed a bit more patience. And then Mayo got a bit of a run, they got a goal. We did fight back well, we brought the game back well, but at that stage, I think the game was gone.
“But we never quit, we never gave up,” Tally countered. “It was a day where you just never got to the level you expected.
“I thought Mayo were very good today. I thought they were able to open us up pretty easily. But no, it was just sort of a frustrating day, frustrating performance. We have a lot of work to do.”
Derry’s Conor Doherty looks to apply pressure on Mayo counterpart Jordan Flynn
The Galbally man lamented a lengthy and growing injury roster of players that has certainly undermined his first season as Derry boss.
“We’re playing in fits and starts,” he explained. “Maybe it’s just where every week seems to be changing our team.
“We lost Brendan Rogers and Lachlan Murray from the Donegal game. We couldn’t risk Lachlan today. So, all being well, he’ll be back for Donegal in the Championship.
“And Mayo today were pretty strong. I think they’ve more or less their Championship team out there. So, it was tough out there for them players.”
Derry’s Conor Glass gathers possession of a high-ball during his side’s Division One defeat to Mayo
Derry manager Paddy Tally prior to the Oak Leafs’ Division One clash with Mayo at Celtic Park
Derry complete their League campaign with a trip to All-Ireland champions Armagh on Sunday, but the Derry manager agrees that his focus is now firmly on the Championship.
“I think it’s our target now,” he agreed.
“We only have three weeks to get ready for that. So, the Armagh game now is of no significance to us, really, in terms of the League now, we’re gone.
“But we have to use the opportunity for players to show what they can do. And our focus will be getting ready for that for the Championship game.”
Asked if it would be difficult to lift his relegated players’ heads, Tally had little doubt.
Derry’s Anton Tohill looks to fend off the challenge of Mayo opponent Jordan Flynn
“I think not, really. Championship is Championship. We’re well ready for it,” he said.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge going up there (to Ballybofey). But we’d like to be stronger.
“We’d like to think we have a stronger panel for that day and get a few more players back in that aren’t playing. But that’s our job.
“The League is more or less finished now. All along, we’re hoping that we’d get something out of today. I think even today, we wanted to finish off with a good performance at home, that’s the disappointing thing.
“We can reflect and say, ‘What can we take out of this? What’s the positives? What are the things we can learn and improve on?’
“They’re intelligent players. We’ll put a good bit of work in for the next couple of weeks anyway.”
Derry: O Lynch, D Baker, E McEvoy, M Bradley, C Doherty (0-01), P McGrogan (0-01), P McGurk (1-01), C Glass (0-08), A Tohill, E Doherty, N Toner (0-01), D Higgins, N Loughlin (0-01), S McGuigan (0-04, 1f), P Cassidy.
Subs: N McNicholl for O Lynch (13), C Devlin for P McGurk for N Loughlin (51), B McCarron for D Higgins (51), C McMonagle for A Tohill (56), M Doherty for P McGrogan (59).
Mayo: C Reape, J Coyne, D McHugh, E Hession, S Callinan, D McBrien, F Kelly (0-01), S Coen, M Ruane (0-06), C Reid (0-01), J Carney, J Flynn (1-00), A O’Shea (0-01), F Irwin (1-01), R O’Donoghue (0-08, 2f).
Subs: S Morahan for D McHugh (51), F Boland for C Reid (54), D Neary for F Kelly (56), E McLaughlin (0-01) for D McBrien (60), P Toye for A O’Shea (68).
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)