DONEGAL Minor Ladies produced an outstanding display to claim victory in Saturday’s Ulster Silver Final against Down in Augher.
Donegal . . . 5-11
Down . . . 1-5
Only four points separated these sides when Donegal won a very close encounter in their first game of the campaign back at the beginning of April.
But this match was a totally different affair as Declan McDermott’s side delivered a quality performance to see off the Down challenge.
They kicked some wonderful scores in a dominant first half display during which they played some brilliant, free-flowing football.
Donegal Minor Ladies pictured before Saturday’s Ulster Final against Down
At the break they were 3-9 to 1-1 in front and while Down carried more of a threat after half-time, Donegal were never in any trouble.
Their star player over the hour was Abigail Temple Asokuh who was deservedly named player of the match. Playing at full-back, the MacCumhaill’s player really stood out.
Her club-mate and fellow senior county player Katie Dowds chipped in with a very impressive 3-2 of her team’s total.
But the big Donegal support who travelled to the Co. Tyrone venue will agree that this was an all-round excellent team performance. The Donegal senior ladies team and their manager Maxi Curran and senior coaches were also there to lend their support and they can only have been impressed.
Donegal captain Niamh Harkin is presented with the cup
Not only does the victory see Donegal through to the All-Ireland semi-finals but it also guarantees that this team will be playing in Tier One in Ulster next year.
Donegal scorers: Katie Dowds 3-3, Eva Gallagher 2-1 (1f), Ava Walsh 0-3, Abbie McGranaghan 0-2, Rhiana McColgan, Aisling O’Neill, Niamh Boyle 0-1 each.
Down scorers: Niamh McGrath 1-0, Niamh King 0-4 (3f), Anna McParland 0-1.
Donegal: Aoibheann Randles; Ellie Ward, Abigail Temple Asokuh, Amy Porter; Tara Rose Mahon, Sarah McGinley, Niamh Harkin; Ulitah Boyle, Rhiana McColgan; Ava Walsh, Eva Gallagher, Cora Doherty; Abbie McGranaghan, Aisling O’Neill, Katie Dowds.
Subs: Rhianna McCreadie for Doherty (half-time), Emma Neeson for Porter and Mia Bennett for McGranaghan 42, Niamh Boyle for Gallagher 48, Tara Geoghegan for O’Neill 53.
Down: Cara Bradley; Ellen McEvoy, Ciara McGeough, Katie Foy; Emily Bingham Abbott, Emma McLaughlin Bebhionn Rogan; Roisin McKenna, Tara McCarron; Niamh McClory, Meabh Napier, Aine Catney; Niamh King, Niamh Rice, Niamh McGrath.
Subs: Anna McParland for McCarron 40, Mollie Tumilty for Catney 44, Cara Crimmins for McKenna 50, Meabh Coughlan and Bronwyn McGovern for King and Bingham 55.
Referee: Brian McCallion (Tyrone).
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