Donegal minors up and running with win over Monaghan

Donegal marked their return to the top tier of Ulster LGFA minor football with a big win over Monaghan on Saturday afternoon in Sean MacCumhaill Park. 

Mia Bennett, Katie Dowds, Eva Gallagher and Ava Walsh scored the goals in this 16-point win.

Ardara’s Bennett got Donegal off to a bright start when she got on the end of a sweeping move to find the back of the Farney net.

Bennett also capped a fine performance with two points, both scored in the closing quarter. And even though the visitors hit the game’s next three points - all from frees - off the boot of full-forward Aine Maguire, Donegal once again picked up the pace. 

Donegal pulled away again in the second quarter with goals from senior stars Dowds and Eva Gallagher, from the penalty spot. 

Gallagher and Aisling O’Neill also kicked points to send Donegal in nine up at half-time, as they led 3-6 to 0-3.

And last season’s All-Ireland C champions were well on their way to an opening day victory when impressive full-forward Ava Walsh  gave Niamh Maguire no chance for goal number four. 

That was five minutes into the new half for a 13-point lead. Maguire and Aoibheann McCormack raised white flags to reduce the lead.

But as the game fizzled out Ulitah Boyle, Bennett and O’Neill added to the Donegal scoreboard tally as Declan McDermott’s charges opened the new season in fine fashion.

Donegal scorers: Eva Gallagher 1-4, 1-0 pen 4f; Mia Bennett 1-2; Ava Walsh 1-1; Aishling O’Neill 0-2; Ulitah Boyle 0-1; Katie Dowds 1-0. 

Monaghan scorers: Aine Maguire 0-5,5f; Aobhean McCormack 0-1. 

Donegal: Kerry McCready (St Mary’s, Convoy);  Ellie Ward (Dungloe), Siobhan Cameron (Termon), Tara Rose Mahon (Buncrana); Niamh Bonner (Termon), Sarah McGinley (Glenswilly), Ava Caulfield (Dungloe); Ulitah Boyle (Dungloe),  Rhianna McColgan (Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin); Katie Dowds (Sean MacCumhaills), Aishling O’Neill (Malin), Cora Doherty(Naomh Conaill);  Eva Gallagher (Kilcar), Ava Walsh (Naomh Padraig), Mia Bennett (Ardara). 

Subs; Sara Thomas (Four Masters) for C Doherty (41); Maeve Brady (Termon) for E Gallagher (52); Lucy Ward (St Nauls) for U Boyle (60); Caithlin Fletcher (St Eunans) (62). 

Monaghan: Niamh Maguire; Aoife Hamilton, Mairead Carthy, Sharon Corrigan; Emma Hughes, Laurnen Markey, Dearvala Cawley; Aoibheann McCormack, Ferna Duffy; Daisy Walker, Caoimhe Kelly, Mairead Cusack;Katie McAdams, Aine Maguire, Allsion Gilliland. 

Subs: Michelle Grew for Emma Hughes (5); Edel Murphy for D Walker (35); Katie McDermott for D Cawley (35); Georgia Breslin for L Markey (50); F Hannigan for A Gilliland (54). 

Referee; Jude Dixon (Derry)