LAGAN HARPS were crowned Donegal Women’s League champions after defeating title rivals Bonagee United at Dry Arch Park.
Bonagee United 0 Lagan Harps 3
Amanda Callaghan, Amy Boyd and Caroline Gallagher netted the goals as Bríd McGinty’s team retained their title at the home of their closest challengers.
Bonagee had to win to keep their charge alive and Seamy McGinty’s team held out manfully – including an early penalty save from Denise McElhinney – until Callaghan tapped home the opener late in the first half.
It was a goal that rocked Bonagee – without Anna Doherty, Emma Ryan and Grainne Gallagher – to the core, the hosts having soaked the pressure in the face of a wave of Lagan pressure before the moment, on 42 minutes, when the resistance broke.
A diagonal ball into the right channel put Nakita Burke in behind the back and her centre was tucked away by the in-rushing Callaghan.
Burke played her first game of the season last weekend and scored in a 4-1 Ulster Cup semi-final win over Illies Celtic.
Despite being named among the substitutes here, Burke was included from the start. After 16 minutes, Burke weaved her way into the box before being fouled by Leona Russell.
Referee James Malseed pointed to the spot, but Bonagee goalkeeper Denise McElhinney magnificently got down to her right to beat away Burke’s penalty.
McElhinney was in inspired form in the first half, wonderfully tipping over from Danielle McDevitt’s shot three minutes later.
McElhinney got her fingertips to keep out an effort from Burke and the over-worked Bonagee netminder clung onto a rasping drive from Boyd.
[adrotate group=”38″]Bonagee might have gone ahead just after the half-hour mark. Russell’s ball opened up the possibilities for Natalie McFadden. The striker held off the rearguard, but saw her shot kept out by Niamh Mailey.
Just when it seemed as if Bonagee – who had a fine performance from the lively Deborah Kerrigan – would go to the break on level terms, Lagan hit the front through Callaghan.
Gallagher drew another fine save from McElhinney just after the re-start and the Bonagee keeper made a double save from Burke and Boyd, after Claire Orr bravely blocked from Boyd, literally putting her neck on the line.
On 64 minutes, Lagan doubled the lead, Boyd having time to pick her spot after initially being thwarted by McElhinney.
[adrotate group=”70″]Twenty minutes from time, Gallagher added the third, her shot from 15 yards creeping in at the far post to seal the silverware.
These two teams still have to meet in the Glencar Inn Cup final while Bonagee will take on Manulla on Sunday in the WFAI Intermediate Shield semi-final.
Bonagee United: Denise McElhinney; Lauren Lynch, Amy Thompson, Leona Russell, Claire Orr; Deborah Kerrigan, Alice Diver (Aoife Gallagher 77), Bridgeen Devenney (Naomi Moore 77), Shannon McBride, Olivia McGinley (Caoimhe Kelly); Natalie McFadden (Lynnette Rodgers 80).
Lagan Harps: Niamh Mailey; Aoife Page, Catherine Grier, Chantel Kelly, Zoe Green; Amanda Callaghan (Kaneshia McKinney 77), Caroline Gallagher, Nadine Crawford, Danielle McDevitt; Nakita Burke, Amy Boyd.
Referee: James Malseed.
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