DONEGAL LEFT SWINFORD empty-handed in the Lidl Ladies NFL Division 1 this afternoon but played their part in a classic encounter against Mayo.
Mayo 5-14 Donegal 4-12
Fiona McHale grabbed an eighth-minute goal for the home team, to establish an early five-point lead. Mayo continued to press on and had three goals in the first 12 minutes with Fiona Doherty and Sarah Rowe also netting.
However, Donegal, with Geradline McLaughlin on form and on her way to 2-5 in all, managed to get a foothold when the Termon forward looped a goal past Elaine Murphy in the Mayo goal before then palming a second Donegal.
After 16 frantic minutes it was Mayo 3-5 Donegal 2-3.
It was soon level as points from McLaughlin and Aoife McDonnell were added to by a goal from Ciara Grant, 3-5 apiece.
At the break it was still level, thanks to a point from Karen Guthrie with both sides having racked up 3-7 apiece.
Donegal managed to edge ahead, 4-7 to 3-8, after the restart with Niamh Hegarty the goalscorer.
But Mayo fought back with two quick goals, Niamh Kelly and Sinead Cafferky delighting the home support.
Points were traded at both ends but in the end it was Mayo who won out.
Scorers for Mayo – F Doherty (1-2), G Kelly (0-5, 3f), S Rowe (1-2), N Kelly (1-1), F McHale (1-0), S Cafferky (1-0), A Gilroy (0-2), D Hughes (0-1), S Howley (0-1)
Scorers for Donegal – G McLaughlin (2-5, 4f), C Grant (1-2), N Hegarty (1-1), K Guthrie (0-2, 1f), K Herron (0-1), A McDonnell (0-1).
Mayo – E Murphy; N O’Malley, S Ludden; O Conlon, E Lowther, D Hughes; C McManamon, A Gilroy; F McHale, F Doherty, S Cafferky; N Kelly, S Rowe, G Kelly.
Subs Used – S Murphy for E Murphy (23 mins, inj), R Flynn for N O’Malley (ht), D Caldwell for E Lowther (39 mins), S Howley for F Doherty (44 mins), N Moran for C McManamon (52 mins).
Donegal – R McCafferty; T Doherty, N McLaughlin, E Gallagher; B McLaughlin, C Hegarty, A McDonnell; K Herron, G Houston; K Guthrie, N Hegarty, SJ McDonald; C Grant, E McCrory, G McLaughlin.
Subs Used – AM McGlynn for E Gallagher (ht), E Ward for AM McGlynn (54 mins).
Ref – J Gallagher (Galway)
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