Mayo 0-8
Donegal 0-9
The Donegal ladies got their Division 2 National League campaign back on track on Sunday afternoon following a narrow one-point win over Mayo in Swinford.
James Daly’s side trailed by two at the break but they produced a well-rounded second stanza display to help secure them the three league points.
Donegal nearly got off to the dream start in this encounter as Susanne White carried the ball forward from midfield before firing at goal but Laura Brennan denied her with a good stop.
However, it was the hosts that got the afternoon’s scoring underway.
On the three minute mark, Sinéad Walsh received the ball on the edge of the arc and found the target, seeing the orange flag raised.
Sinéad Walsh soon continued her positive start to the contest, slotting over a placed ball just a minute later to see her side’s advantage stretched to three.
Diane O’Hora’s outfit would quickly stretch their advantage to four as Fiona McHale found Tara Needham with a pass and the wing-forward fired the ball over the bar.
The visitors got off the mark after nine minutes, with Susanne White landing a close-range free before Ava Caulfield doubled their tally when she fired the ball over the bar.
Mayo’s early cushion was soon cut to just a point as Jodie McFadden struck over a right-footed free for James Daly’s side.
The hosts hit back after 12 minutes, with Fiona McHale again providing the assist, this time for Sinéad Cafferty who found the target.
The next period of the game was finely balanced between the pair but neither side could add to their afternoon’s tally on the scoreboard.
In the closing stages of Act One, Donegal had their second goal chance of the contest as Laura Brennan was unable to deal with a high ball from Katie Dowds but Danielle Caldwell blocked Ciara McGarvey’s attempt at goal.
This would be the last action of the opening stanza, leaving the hosts with a two-point cushion at the break.
Within minutes of the restart, Donegal drew themselves level for the first time in the contest courtesy of a superb two-pointed free from Killybegs native Susanne White.
On the 40 minute mark, James Daly’s outfit took the lead as Blaithnid McLaughlin fed Ciara McGarvey who struck a brilliant laces effort over the bar from outside the arc.
Mayo soon got their first score in 30 minutes of play as Sinead Walsh converted a close range free to reduce the arrears to the minimum.
However, Donegal’s two-point advantage was quickly reinstated courtesy of a Jodie McFadden free at the other end.
On the 50 minute mark, McFadden repeated the act by curling a free over the bar via the post to push their lead to three points.
Diane O’Hora’s outfit pulled two points back courtesy of a pair of Sinead Walsh frees, leaving us with a grandstand finish.
Mayo pushed hard in the closing stages for a score that would earn them something from the encounter however, the Donegal defence stood firm to keep them at bay and seal a superb win on the road.
Mayo: Laura Brennan, Eilis Ronayne, Danielle Caldwell, Lucy Wallace, Ella Brennan, Ciara Needham, Lynda Hanley, Aoife Geraghty, Fiona McHale, Aoife Kennedy, Aoife Staunton, Tara Needham (0-1), Lisa Cafferky, Sinéad Walsh (0-6,1tp,4f), Sinéad Cafferty (0-1). Subs: Suzanne Tuohy and Hannah Reape for Hanley and Cafferky (50 mins).
Donegal: Clare Friel, Niamh Carr, Evelyn McGinley, Sophie McFeely, Tara Hegarty, Feena McManamon, Ava Caulfield (0-1), Mia Bennett, Roisin Rodgers, Bláthnaid McLaughlin, Katie Dowds, Niamh Boyle, Susanne White (0-3,1tpf,1f), Jodie McFadden (0-3,3f), Ciara McGarvey (0-2,1tp). Subs: Ulitah Boyle for McLaughlin (43 mins), Shauna McFadden for Caulfield (56 mins).
Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).
Player of the Match: Roisin Rodgers (Donegal). The Donegal ladies captain produced a superb performance in Swinford on Sunday, covering a serious amount of distance throughout the encounter. Susanne White and Jodie McFadden also impressed while Sinead Walsh was the standout for the hosts.
The Whistler: Referee Gus Chapman had a solid outing in Swinford on Sunday afternoon and can be pleased with his performance in this contest.
Turning Point: Donegal trailed by two points at the interval on Sunday however, two orange flags courtesy of Susanne White and Ciara McGarvey saw them flip this into a two-point advantage heading into the closing third of the contest and they managed their lead well.
Talking Point: James Daly will be delighted with the display of his side on Sunday afternoon to come through on the right side of this contest against a good Mayo team. They would have been disappointed with how things went against Cavan last time out but they showed great character to bounce back this week.
What’s Next: Up next for James Daly’s outfit is a trip to Tipperary in three weeks time.
