DONEGAL WOMEN’S LEAGUE
Raphoe Town………. 1
Fanad United Red…0
A super battling performance in difficult conditions saw Raphoe Town Women’s team claim the Donegal Women’s League 7-a-side League title on Monday evening following a hard-fought 1-0 win against a fine Fanad United Red side who had topped the other league group following a 1-0 win against Cappry, and who pushed Raphoe to the very last whistle as they tried to pull the game back to level terms.
Without goalkeeper Neve Scanlan who had played a starring role for the team throughout the league campaign but who picked up an injury last week, Raphoe were forced to reshuffle the pack and star attacker Vanessa McHugh donned the gloves and was brilliant between the sticks for anything she had to do on the night.
Raphoe got off to a dream start when Sarah Jane Kelly’s corner in the opening few minutes was brilliantly headed home by Aimee Lafferty who kept up her impressive run of goalscoring form.
It was pretty even after that in the first half, Lauren O’Donnell and Sarah Jane providing great attacking options on the flanks and Rachel Lawne holding up the midfield in front of the once again impressive Rocha McCullagh and Alannah Kee at the heart of our defence.
Those defensive instincts were called upon in spades in the second half when Fanad dominated possession as they pressed for a leveller, but they were unable to find a way past our stubborn and hard-working unit who chased and fought for every ball.
The game was in the balance until the final whistle, but Raphoe ladies, who are managed by Sinead Kelly and Liam Porter, held on to complete a very impressive run of form and clinch the league title.
Raphoe Town: Anne McBride, Ellen Carlin, Sarah Jane Kelly, Hannah Farry, Alannah Kee, Lauren O’Donnell, Rachel Lawne, Aimee Lafferty, Karla Devine, Rocha McCullagh, Ellie McBride, Jenna Lynch, Amelia McCullagh, Neve Scanlan, Vanessa McHugh, Daisy Leeper, Kelsey Parke, Martina Kilpatrick and Jennifer Eaton.
Team
Fanad United Red: Mary Bridget McKeever; Erin Carlin, Eibhlin Shiels, Eimear Sweeney, Hannah Shiels, Siobhan Sweeney, Kara Friel, Susan McBride.
