DONEGAL Ladies lost out by the narrowest of margins to Kerry in Rathmore on Sunday – Micheál Naughton’s team falling to their first loss of the year.
Kerry 2-13 Donegal 2-12
Donegal were leading by six points, 2-12 to 1-9, with 15 minutes left, but the afternoon unravelled late on and Laura Rogers netted a last-ditch goal to seal a comeback win for the Kingdom.
Donegal led 1-10 to 1-6 at half-time.
Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh fisted home a goal for the home side, who responded to Donegal’s strong start.
Donegal led 0-4 to no score early on, but Kerry hit back.
Buncrana’s Paula McGrory, who is in her first year on the panel, netted the Donegal goal as the Tir Chonaill women led by four at the changeover.
Kerry had a strong start to the second half, but Geraldine McLaughlin – who top scored for Donegal with 1-4 – found a goal as she fired home after taking a ball in from Termon colleague Roisin Friel.
The ever-green Karen Guthrie, in fine form here again, scored her fifth point of the day and Donegal looked odds-on for a third win in three games.
Donegal lost Ciara Hegarty to a yellow card and Kerry inched back, Rogers’ goal sealing the win and leaving Donegal facing the long trek home without any joy.
Kerry: Erris O’Carroll, Eilis Lynch, Caroline Kelly, Aislinn Desmond, Sarah Murphy, Anna Galvin, Ciara Murphy, Lorraine Scanlon, Amanda Brosnan, Laura Rogers (1-1), Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh (1-2,2f), Denise Hallissey, Sarah Houlihan (0-8,2f) , Megan O Connell, Miriam O Keeffe (0-1). Sub: Eilish O’Leary for O’Keefe (56).
Donegal: Laura Gallagher, Theresa Doherty, Ciara Hegarty, Kate Keaney, Therese McClafferty, Nicole McLaughlin, Katie Herron, Karen Guthrie (0-5, 1f), Shannon McGroddy, Grainne Houston, Niamh Hegarty, Eilish Ward, Roisin Friel (0-1), Geraldine McLaughlin (1-4, 2f), Paula McGrory (1-1). Subs: Kelly Wilson for McGroddy (47), Niamh McDaid for Houston (50).
Referee: Niall McCormack (Laois)
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