Derry manager Tom McLean wasn't happy with his side's performance against Mayo in Saturday's Christy Ring Cup opener.

Despite plying their trade a division above their opponents in the Allianz League, the Oak Leafers had to work hard for a two-point victory, and McLean knows improvement is needed ahead of their next outing against either London or Kildare.

"We didn't set the place alight," he admitted to the Irish News.

"It seemed to be that it broke down when we came into the scoring positions. Maybe that's a follow on from the Wicklow match. Maybe they were feeling under a bit of pressure. We shot a lot of wides that day. When they were shooting, they maybe weren't relaxed.

"Maybe now that we have got this game over us, things will improve."

Mayo manager JP Coen believes his side could have pulled off a surprise win if dual star Keith Higgins had been available to them.

"We weren't given a chance coming up here today, plus we lost our full forward to a groin injury during the week," he said.

"That didn't help, And Keith Higgins' unavailability didn't help either. I give huge credit to all our lads. They were exceptional. They did everything that we asked of them."

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