Nicole McLaughlin named to start as Donegal ladies seek first win

Nicole McLaughlin will make her first start of 2023 when Donegal ladies host Waterford in Letterkenny on Sunday (1pm).

The Termon woman, who played her 100th game for Donegal in 2022, is included from the off in one of three changes made by Maxi Curran.

Donegal are winless from their opening three games, but McLaughlin - who has appeared from the bench in the previous two games - returns to bolster the ranks.

McLaughlin, Katie Dowds and Jodie McFadden are named in the Donegal XV with Catherine Boyle, Shannon McGroddy and Roisin Rodgers making way. 

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Curran is still without some key names and experienced stars but he’ll want to avoid relegation to Division 2 before getting his strongest team out in the Championship. 

Waterford would have been viewed by many as relegation candidates but the Déise have been really competitive to date.

They only lost to high-flying Kerry by a point before drawing with Cork and beating Mayo. 

Another win here would almost guarantee survival in Division 1 for another season and keep Waterford, who have Lauren McGregor in sparkling attacking form, in the hunt for a final place. 

Donegal: A McColgan; N Carr, E McGinley, E Gallagher (capt.); A Boyle Carr, N McLaughlin, T Hegarty; S Twohig, L Ryan; S Boyle, K Long, K Dowds; J McFadden, S White, C McGarvey. 

Waterford: E O’Brien; C Murray, M Dunford, A Murray; E Power, E Murray, H Power; K Hogan, A Waring; A O’Neill, A Fitzgerald, C McCarthy; Karen McGrath (capt.), B McMaugh, L McGregor.