THE lady footballers Ardara and Naomh Conaill enjoyed mixed fortunes in County finals this afternoon.
Ardara proved to be too strong for Gaoth Dobhair to clinch the Donegal ladies Intermediate title while their South West neighbours Naomh Conaill were edged out by Buncrana in the Junior decider.
Ardara ladies shine at the Banks
Ardara 3-11 Gaoth Dobhair 1-3
TWO early goals from Maria Diver paved the way for Ardara’s comfortable win over Gaoth Dobhair in The Banks.
Carol Breslin was Ardara’s top scorer, the Donegal player contributing 1-10, but with Ciara Mooney and Aoife Watters controlling things in the middle third, Stephanie Sweeney tenacious at full back and her name-sake Lara leading the attack, Gaoth Dobhair were still scoreless at the break.
The Magheragallon girls got the scoreboard ticking over through two Aisling Ní Chasaide points before substitute Aoife De Barra netted a late goal but Player of the Match Breslin also hit the net and added six more overs in the process.
It was a delighted Sharon Kilbane who was presented with with the cup by former Donegal manager Micheal Naughton.
Ardara: Rosa Kelly; Sharon Kilbane, Stephanie Sweeney, Alanna Sweeney; Roisin Maguire, Mairead Watters, Grace Feeney; Aoife Watters, Ciara Mooney; Una McLaughlin, Lara Sweeney, Grace Feeney; Treasa Sweeney, Carol Breslin (1-10,4f), Maria Diver (2-1). Subs: Claire Maguire for T Sweeney (37 mins), Catriona McHugh for G Feeney (48 mins), Therese Gallagher for A Sweeney (50 mins), Niamh Gallagher for C Mooney (53 mins), Chelcie Bennett for M Diver (56).
Gaoth Dobhair: Róisin Nic Pháidín; Gracie Ní Rabhartaigh, Donna Ní Cheallaigh, Joeanne Ní Cheallaigh; Katie Ní Ghallachoir, Jessica Ní Bhrádaigh, Evelyn Ní Gheimhrigh; Fiona Ní Rabhartaigh, Carolann Ní Chasaide; Emer Ní Fhrighil (0-1), Rachel Nic Aodh, Caitlín Ní Dhomhnaill; Shannen Ní Dhochartaigh, Aisling Ní Chasaide (0-2), Caolinn Ní Chasaide. Subs: Aoife De Barra (1-0) for S Ní Dhochartaigh (28 mins), Róisin Nic Aodha for R Nic Aodh (30 mins), Katelyn Nic Aodh for E Ní Gheimhridh (54 mins), Brid Ní Chanainn for J NíCheallaigh (56 mins).
Referee: Siobhan Coyle (Gaeil Fhánada).
Buncrana hold on
Buncrana 1-10 Naomh Conaill 2-6
A LAST MINUTE penalty save from Amy Casey won the Ladies’ County Junior Football Championship for Buncrana in Burt yesterday afternoon.
Buncrana, beaten by Inishowen rivals Carndonagh in last year’s decider, led 0-05 to 0-01 at half-time before Hughie Molloy’s Naomh Conaill team bravely fought their way back.
Led by former Donegal captain Aoife McDonnell, who kicked five successive points, the Glenties girls level at 2-6 to 1-9 with only two minutes left.
Natasha Craig edged them in front again before Lorraine Molloy was fouled only for AmyCasey to make a dramatic save.
Buncrara: Amy Casey; Gemma McDaid, Danielle Loughrey, Louise Devlin; Caroline Gallagher, Kirsty Grant, Lauren Hegarty; Deirdre Grant, Doreen McGee; Louise Reid, Máiread Walsh (0-1), Michaela Mullan (0-2); Natasha Craig (0-2, 2f), Paula McGrory (0-3, 1f), Ella McLaughlin (0-2). Subs: Niamh Connolly for Craig (1-0, 26), Craig for McLaughlin (48), Michelle Brown for Connolly (55).
Naomh Conaill: Siobhan McDevitt; Arlene Gallagher, Megan Byrne, Rose Agnew; Gemma Byrne, Patricia Mannering (0-1), Harrietta Bonner; Fiona Molloy, Ailisha Ward; Fionnuala Harkin, Aoife McDonnell (0-5, 4f), Gráinne McLoone (1-0); Nicola Gallagher (1-0), Lorraine Molloy, Breena McDonnell. Subs: Ellie MacInnes for Harkin (half-time), Joanne Gallagher for B McDonnell (38), Niamh Agnew for McLoone (50).
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