It is a matter of righting a wrong for Donegal at Croke Park - Stephen McBride 

The nightmare of last year’s Nickey Rackard Cup final defeat to Wicklow is deeply ingrained in the mind of Donegal vice-captain Stephen McBride.

Donegal were in a commanding situation at one stage in the final in Croke Park. 

They were six points up in the first half thanks to goals from Ronan McDermott and Ryan Hilferty.

But The Garden County men trimmed the advantage to four points by the time they trundled off under the Cusack Stand at the break.

The general feeling that day, among most observers, was Donegal had played the better hurling and were a little unlucky not to be further ahead at the halfway mark. 

“It just goes to show you how a game can change,” said McBride. “Two pucks of a ball can change it all and that is what happened in the second half.

“Wicklow made a couple of changes and then scored a couple of goals and went into a six-point lead.

“Luke White scored a late goal for us but it was not enough and Wicklow won by three points.

“I’m not sure what went wrong. A bit of complacency may have set in too. But one thing for sure it was a big lesson for us.

“I think we are more focused this year. Every man is competing in training. 

“Losing last year’s final was not a nice experience. A win now on Sunday is the main objective. 

“It is a matter of righting the wrong against Mayo and winning and looking forward to playing in the Christy Ring Cup championship next year.  

"Every man is competing in training even there tonight in the training game there was nothing between the teams which shows the strength in depth in the squad.

“Losing last year’s final was not a nice feeling. A win on Sunday is the main objective.”